TOURISM SECTOR SET TO CONVERGE FOR 2026 TOURISM NKWE

By Tlalane Dlamini

MBABANE — Eswatini’s tourism sector is set to converge once again as the Hospitality and Tourism Association of Eswatini (HOTAES) confirms the second annual Tourism Nkwe, taking place on September 17, 2026, bringing together government and tourism industry stakeholders to collectively shape the future of the Kingdom’s tourism sector.

A major highlight of this year’s gathering is confirmation that His Excellency the Right Honourable Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Eswatini will attend as keynote speaker and deliver the closing address. The Prime Minister also attended the inaugural Tourism Nkwe, held at Sharma House in August 2025, reinforcing the value of sustained high-level engagement between government and the tourism industry.

Tourism Nkwe has grown into a key platform for aligning the industry around shared priorities, among them sustainable destination development, stronger cross-border collaboration, and a more seamless visitor experience from arrival to departure. Building on last year’s momentum, Tourism Nkwe 2026 will continue advancing the priorities set out in the Nkwe! Declaration, working toward a tourism sector that is more coordinated, future-focused, and positioned to contribute meaningfully to Eswatini’s economic development.

HOTAES Chairman Marc Ward described Tourism Nkwe as a space where the industry can unite around common challenges and move from conversation into concrete action. He welcomed the continued backing from government and industry partners, noting that the Prime Minister’s return to deliver the closing address speaks to how central tourism has become to the country’s economic outlook.

Ward added that tourism offers Eswatini a platform to share its story with the world while creating jobs, drawing investment, supporting communities, and generating broader economic opportunity and that Tourism Nkwe is a chance to look at where the industry stands today and chart where it needs to go next.

As part of the programme, HOTAES will also officially unveil its recently appointed Executive, marking a further step in strengthening the Association’s leadership capacity.

With preparations for the event well underway, HOTAES is encouraging tourism operators across accommodation, tour guiding, hospitality, and related sectors to take part in Tourism Nkwe 2026 and help shape the conversations that will define the industry’s next chapter.

The Association extended its appreciation to the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini, along with tourism stakeholders, partners, and members, for their continued commitment to strengthening the sector.