Tour operators sing Eswatini praises

MBABANE – Tour operators from six different countries had nothing but good things to say about the country’s tourism destinations, coupled with its welcoming service and hospitality.

A tour operator is an agent that typically combines and organises accommodation, meals, sightseeing and transportation components, in order to create a package tour. They advertise and produce brochures to promote their products, holidays and itineraries.

Tour operators from Bulgaria, Germany, South Africa, Mozambique, Belgium and the United Kingdom spent five days in the Kingdom of Eswatini and visited the different tourism destinations, making their package tours in the process.

Visited tourist attractions include Big Game Parks, Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, Hlane Royal National Park and KaMsholo Bushveld Safaris, Simunye Country Club, Mbuluzi Game Reserve, Shewula Mountain Camp, among many others.

Networking

Making her address at an event held at SibaneSami Hotel yesterday, Eswatini Tourism Authority Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Linda Nxumalo said the speed networking session and the Post-Indaba Educationals in its entirety was monumental as it was the first to be held since the outbreak of and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

She said the ability to host these educationals signified the dawning of a new day for global travel, and Eswatini’s readiness to welcome the world to indulge in the royal experience that Eswatini had been renowned for over the years.

“In the last two years alone, Eswatini has seen the emergence of new, one-of-a-kind tourism establishments comprising fine dining experiences, spas, intimate nature retreats at game and nature parks, water parks, zip lining, quad biking, game drives and many more thrilling outdoor activities. This signals the innovative nature of the kingdom’s tourism industry and the resilience that has prompted the evolution of the industry, even in the midst of a crippling global pandemic,” she said. Nxumalo said statistics gathered for the first quarter of 2023, that is the period between January and March, revealed that Eswatini saw a 138.8 per cent increase in international arrivals, having recorded 178 742. She said this was 103 891 visits more than the figure recorded in the same months in 2022.

Nxumalo said this growth was primarily driven by surge in demand from the African region

(Pics: Sabelo Majola) Eswatini Tourism Authority Chief Executive Officer Linda Nxumalo being interviewed at the Eswatini Post-Indaba Educationals speed networking session, held at SibaneSami Hotel yesterday. (R) Emke Prakken from Ventura Travel, operating in both Germany and South Africa, said she had a wonderful experience in the country.