Eswatini expects tourism revenue to exceed E2bil ($125mn) in 2026, building on a year in which the kingdom surpassed its target and recorded more than E1bil ($62.5mn) in tourism receipts, the country’s Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs Jane Mkhonta said on August 31.
Mkhonta made the announcement at the Ludzidzini Royal Residence Cultural Village during the main day of the 2026 Umhlanga Reed Dance Ceremony, which she said had drawn large numbers of visitors from outside the country and was among the biggest contributors to the kingdom’s tourism performance, according to Eswatini Positive News.
“Today we are very excited to celebrate the Umhlanga Reed Dance Ceremony where we witnessed a number of visitors from outside the country flocking to the Kingdom,” Mkhonta said, cited by Eswatini Positive News. “They came in huge numbers, more especially to get first-hand experience of our culture and way of life as emaSwati.”
The minister pointed to the Ludzidzini Cultural Village, including its traditional kraal structures and displays such as grinding stones used to process foods including wheat and peanuts, as key to giving visitors an authentic view of Eswatini’s traditional lifestyle, according to the outlet. She said the tourism ministry planned to keep maintaining and upgrading the site to sustain visitor numbers.
Mkhonta also confirmed that the government has this year introduced a hotel star-rating system, as accommodation providers report strong demand, with hotels fully booked during the Umhlanga period. The rating system is intended to raise service standards across the hospitality sector and ensure visitors receive quality commensurate with the properties they book, Eswatini Positive News reported.
The ministry has also worked to strengthen culinary skills within the hospitality industry, bringing in chefs from Nigeria and Ethiopia for a knowledge exchange on food preparation, according to the outlet.
“It is clear that we will meet our intended target. After December 2025, visitors have surpassed the E2 million target, surpassing E1 billion. This is testament that the world loves the country and they continue to visit us,” Mkhonta said, cited by Eswatini Positive News.