WHAT’S HAPPENING ESWATINI?
A S mentioned l ast week the question of rede ining tourism is what this Unlocking Eswatini column will be focusing on for the next month.
This week we introduce some thoughts from the World Bank’s Mari Elka Pangestu ‐ Managing Director of Development Policy and Partnerships.
In a blog post recently, under the heading “Tourism in the post‐ COVID world: Three steps to build better forward” she had the following guiding words:
“Tourism is among the industries that have been hit hardest by the COVID‐ 19 crisis. Over a year since the onset of the pandemic, the numbers are staggering: Tourism destinations recorded one billion fewer international arrivals in 2020 than in 2019. A deep decline in international travel led to a loss of about USD 1.3 trillion in export revenues, more than 11 times the loss during the last economic crisis in 2009. 100 to 120 million tourism jobs were put at risk, a large portion in small and medium‐ sized enterprises.
This is a grave concern for developing economies as they chart a course towards recovery. Driven by both public and private sectors , not only is tourism a vital source of foreign currency, it has the potential to serve as a development ‘ tool’ to strengthen supply chains, improve local firm productivity, creates one out of ten jobs and provide income for women and young people.”
THREE CLEAR STEPS
As a former minister for tourism herself Mari went on to say: “I have seen up close, the value tourism creates for local communities and how sustainable tourism creates economic value while preserving culture and natural assets.
At a recent panel on tourism resilience and building forward better, during the WTO’s Aid for Trade Stocktaking event last month, we discussed the future of tourism given the current challenges. Industry leaders from Costa Rica, Jordan, Kenya and Sri Lanka shared experiences from their own countries in responding and learning from crises, and insights on how they see the way forward for tourism.
Three clear steps emerged from the discussion for tourism to build better forward:
1 ‐ improve traveler con idence;
2‐ understand and track new market trends and the drivers of demand;
3 ‐ commit to build more resilient and inclusive tourism sectors, leveraging renewed interest in sustainability – an important takeaway in the long‐ term.”
Mari then indicated that the World Bank Group ( WBG), was taking a green, resilient, and inclusive development ( GRID) approach. This was t heir strategic outlook for a post‐ COVID world.
Knowledge of this is useful for us here in Eswatini, as it will help us to align with themes that will dominate tourism development going forward.
In another key posting Justin Francis, the founder and CEO of Responsible Travel, re lected on the future of tourism. He started by saying that commentators, environmentalists, airline bosses and people like him who run travel companies are constantly being asked about the ‘ future of tourism’ post COVID‐ 19. “The problem starts right there,” he said, “we rarely, if ever, ask the views of local residents.”
In his post he highlighted a few key points.
BECOME BETTER LISTENERS
“Communities host us i n places they call home. They’re inancially reliant on tourism and left to deal with the problems we cause. I read columns and posts delighting in the reduction of CO2 from lying ( something we’ve campaigned on for many years). But I’m thinking of the Maasai community dependent on tourism and cattle. With no tourism, and the markets closed, they can’t buy food or easily sell cattle. And while we’re busy philosophising, they’re wondering how to put food on the table tonight.”
Francis advocated that: “If we’re committed to building a more responsible future industry, let’s start by giv i ng t hese voices t he equal billing they deserve.”
FAIR SUPPORT BENEFITS ALL
Then he pointed out a sad truth: “Industry recovery from this crisis will not be equal. Tourism in the developed North – with our furloughs, grants and loans – is better equipped to weather the storm than many of the developing countries most dependent on it.”
In the short‐ term, what he is saying is that tourism will favour the destinations and companies able to invest quickest in health screening, good medical facilities and the cheapest deals.
Where do we sit here in Eswatini in this regard?
He pointed out, and poked that “Predictably, some tourism giants have thrust themselves to the front of government bail out queues – though the vast majority of tourism workers, reputedly, one in 12 worldwide, work in small and micro businesses.”
This is very true of the scenario in Eswatini where the country is largely characterised by small SME type tourism operators.
If was good to hear that we have a voice in the developed world that recognises the need for partnering: “Many of us in the North rely on less developed countries to deliver our ‘product’. Our own recovery is therefore reliant on theirs. Rebuilding can only happen together ‐ those most needing support must receive it from governments and industry.”
CLIMATE JUSTICE
Just in pointed out t hat: “Ours won’t be one of the industries hardest hit by COVID‐ 19 ‐ it will be the industry hardest hit. Many developing countries and small island states are among the most dependent on tourism, and economic recovery will depend on the industry’s recovery.”
“But we face a still greater threat,” he said “Some of those same nations are on the frontline of climate change, and are already feeling the impacts of a heating planet. Greater regulation is crucial if we’re to save the places we treasure. But it’s been sorely lacking.”
He did point to some light at the end of the tunnel though: “In the grip of this crisis, we’ve witnessed ‐ with public support ‐ governments take a much firmer hand with business. Regulation is possible. If the same support exists on tackling climate change, we could hope for stronger regulation and taxation of aviation.”
He took direct aim at airlines themselves in this regard: “Aviation fuel is untaxed, and the global organisation charged with managing aviation’s carbon emissions (ICAO) is funded by the aviation industry” itself.
"Our proposed Green Flying Duty would serve to accelerate investment in renewable aviation fuels, he said. “Those that talk the talk on sustainability should demand that governments take a stronger hand in regulating aviation – and tourism – for the bene it of people, planet and culture.”
Right now we are witnessing new legalisation and developments in our energy sector in Eswatini. Are we in front of or behind the curve is what needs to be asked?
DEMOCRATISING TRAVEL
“We’re not all in this together,” pointed out the hard- talking CEO of Responsible Travel.
“When it’s safe to do so, the wealthier will still be able to travel. And that’s very good: we need the jobs and livelihoods their spending supports and creates. But societies face a long road of recession. And for many, unemployment, zero- hour contracts and poverty loom large. The democratisation of travel is likely to take a very uncomfortable backward step”, he said.
This is a crucial observation that we need to make here in Eswatini. The travel market place is no longer the same. It’s also a point made earlier by the World Bank - the need to understand and track new market trends.
“Staycations” are what the developed world calls domestic travel. Just like we have focused attention on local travel, the same has been done in many countries internationally. “But staying put is an easier pill to swallow when you’ve enjoyed a life of travel, and enjoy easy access to beautiful spaces. Less so for those who dream of travel but have yet to experience it,” added Justin who is clearly i n favour of ensuring that international travel remains viable and that it accessible not just to the rich, but for all levels of society.
“I fear,” he states, “that there’s a real risk that accessibility issues will be sidelined amid economic struggles. Let’s not forget the enormous human value of the democratisation of travel. And where we can, let’s redress imbalance. Where assets are underused during recovery, let’s make use of them to bene it those most in need – let’s keep democratising travel.”
CONSERVATION AND TOURISM
Tourism has a mixed reputation for conservation. Habitats are destroyed to build hotels, mangroves dredged to create pristine beaches.
But while we delight in nature lourishing in this quietened world, we risk over looking the rhinos poached in Botswana because ecotourism has dried up, and local people are desperate.
Tourism is part of the problem for conservation. But it’s also part of the solution - and the crisis has illuminated its role in protecting and preserving nature and habitats. It has, however, also highlighted the dependence of some conservation programmes on the industry, and the need to develop sustainable economic opportunities, in additional to tourism, in partnership with local people.
OUT WITH THE OLD
Justin concluded by echoing what many are feeling: “Amid this crisis, many of us have experienced a renewed sense of community. I hope we retain that mindset as tourist. That we’re more mindful of local residents - and our responsibilities as guests.
I hope we reward those companies that collaborate with communities and demonstrate genuine – not just tokenism – care and respect for local residents, culture and environment.”
Done right, tourism is a wonderful industry and a force for good. But the old model was broken. A future‐ fit industry will have a greater sense of responsibility and duty of care to people and planet. It will be better regulated, more democratic and accessible.
Are we in this together? This is the question now.
Join the discussion, email me at if you have any ideas or observations to share.
I will be reaching out to the Eswatini Tourism Authority for their input, to the Ministry of Tourism and the Environment, to the Hospitality and Tourism Association and to other key industry stakeholders. Let’s talk tourism.