ESWATINI TOURISM SOARS AS BUSHFIRE AND CONVENTION CENTRE DRIVE MAY ARRIVALS

Eswatini’s tourism sector continued its impressive upward trajectory in May 2026, recording 97,576 international visitor arrivals, a 9.3% increase from the 90,701 visitors welcomed during the same month last year.

Although marginally lower than April’s exceptional 99,884 arrivals, the May performance underscores the resilience of the Kingdom’s tourism industry amid rising fuel prices, increasing electricity costs and ongoing global economic uncertainty affecting travel demand in several source markets.

Eswatini Tourism Authority Chief Executive Officer, Vusie N. Dlamini, described the results as a clear indication of growing international confidence in the destination.

“To record nearly 98,000 arrivals in a single month, in an environment of rising fuel and electricity costs and persistent global uncertainty, speaks to the growing confidence in Eswatini as a destination,” said Dlamini.

“These are not just numbers, they represent families, friends and first-time visitors who chose our Kingdom and experienced the warmth, culture and hospitality that define emaSwati.”

Growth was recorded across most global regions, with the strongest gains coming from Asia and the Pacific, where arrivals increased by 27.0% year-on-year. Europe followed with an 8.1% rise, while Africa and the Americas grew by 7.3% and 4.2% respectively. The Middle East was the only region to decline, reflecting the impact of ongoing geopolitical instability on travel confidence and airline connectivity.

New Infrastructure and Signature Events Deliver Results

Two major developments emerged as key drivers behind May’s strong performance.

The opening of the Ezulwini Palazzo International Convention Centre in late April began yielding immediate returns, hosting its first major international event, the OACPS-EU African Regional Parliamentary Meeting, which attracted more than 500 delegates from Africa, Europe and the Caribbean, providing a significant boost to business tourism.

At the same time, the MTN Bushfire Festival once again proved its value as one of Eswatini’s most powerful tourism assets.

Bushfire Ignites Visitor Growth

The MTN Bushfire Festival weekend delivered exceptional results, with 28,392 international visitor arrivals recorded during the event period, representing a 54.5% increase compared to the same weekend in 2025.

Data collected during the festival showed that most visitors travelled as couples, families, friends and organised groups rather than as solo travellers, reinforcing Bushfire’s reputation as a shared cultural experience.

Accommodation establishments also benefited substantially, with average room occupancy reaching an impressive 78.6%.

“Bushfire is more than a festival; it is a window through which the world sees Eswatini,” said Dlamini.

“When occupancy reaches nearly 80 percent and visitors arrive as families and groups of friends, it tells us that people are not simply passing through, they are choosing to stay, spend and connect. That is exactly the kind of tourism we are building.”

Africa Remains the Foundation

Africa remained Eswatini’s dominant tourism source region, accounting for 90.6% of all international arrivals in May.

The continent contributed 88,380 visitors, up from 82,354 in May 2025.

Mozambique emerged as the standout performer, with arrivals surging 44.4% from 15,449 to 22,301 visitors. The increase was largely driven by MTN Bushfire, where Mozambicans accounted for 16.8% of all international festival attendees.

Zambia continued its positive growth trend, recording a 37.2% increase, supported by the direct Lusaka-Eswatini air connection through King Mswati III International Airport.

South Africa, while remaining Eswatini’s largest source market, registered another decline, extending a trend seen since the beginning of the year, as economic pressures continue to weigh on regional travel.

Long-Haul Markets Show Strength

The Americas recorded growth of 4.2%, led by a 13.9% increase in arrivals from the United States, signalling sustained interest from long-haul travellers despite higher travel costs.

Brazil posted the region’s strongest growth, with arrivals increasing by an impressive 159.0%.

Meanwhile, Asia and the Pacific delivered the strongest regional growth overall, rising 27.0% from 1,972 to 2,505 arrivals.

South Korea led the surge with growth of 100.9%, followed by Australia at 61.1% and India at 27.8%. China and Pakistan were the only notable markets within the region to experience declines.

Europe Continues Recovery

Europe recorded 5,213 arrivals during May, up 8.1% from 4,822 in the same month last year, marking the region’s second consecutive month of growth.

France spearheaded the recovery with a remarkable 75.4% increase, reflecting its strong representation at MTN Bushfire and growing interest in Eswatini as a cultural destination.

Portugal and Italy also posted healthy gains of 48.3% and 32.9% respectively, supported in part by travel linked to the international parliamentary meetings hosted in the Kingdom.

Several traditional markets recorded declines, including the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium and Norway. However, strong performances from France and other growing markets were sufficient to lift the region overall.

Middle East Remains Challenged

The Middle East continued to face significant challenges, with arrivals declining by 74.7%, largely mirroring April’s 74.1% decrease.

Ongoing geopolitical tensions have weakened travel confidence, disrupted airline connectivity and contributed to higher operating costs. The resulting pressure on global oil prices has also added to rising travel expenses worldwide.

Momentum Builds Towards Full Recovery

Between January and May 2026, Eswatini welcomed a cumulative 466,768 international visitors, representing growth of 10.6% compared with the same period in 2025.

For Dlamini, the figures signal a tourism sector firmly on the path to sustained growth.

“We are on a steady path to full recovery, and the momentum is undeniable,” he said.

“Our focus now is to ensure this growth translates into lasting value for our communities, tourism operators and the wider economy. With world-class infrastructure such as the Ezulwini Palazzo now operational and signature events continuing to attract global audiences, the future of Eswatini tourism has never looked brighter.”