By Tlalane Dlamini
The 2025 Umhlanga Reed Dance has proven to be a significant economic driver for Eswatini, with a notable 5.8% increase in visitor arrivals compared to the previous year.
According to Eswatini Tourism Authority’s (ETA) September Statistical Release, the 2025 Umhlanga Reed Dance weekend brought 34,599 visitors to the Kingdom, signaling robust growth and presenting a clear opportunity for businesses within the tourism and hospitality sectors.
Key Market Performance
The report highlights a shifting landscape in visitor demographics, with certain markets showing exceptional growth. While South Africa remains the largest source market, it experienced a 19.2% year-on-year decline despite contributing 8,898 visitors. In contrast, Mozambique recorded an impressive 54.8% increase, contributing 2,878 visitors and solidifying its position as a rapidly growing market.
Together, these two neighbouring countries accounted for 75.8% of total arrivals, underscoring the critical importance of regional travel in driving Eswatini’s tourism economy.
Beyond the region, several international markets demonstrated remarkable growth. Visitor numbers from France surged by 337.1%, followed by Malawi (+172.8%), India (+115.8%), and the Netherlands (+107.7%). The report also noted strong increases from China (+15.6%) and Zimbabwe (+10.8%). This diverse growth indicates a broadening appeal for Eswatini as a destination.
From a logistical perspective, the Ngwenya border gate saw the highest volume of arrivals with 13,839 visitors, followed by Matsamo with 5,423 visitors. This data is crucial for businesses, especially those in logistics and cross-border services, to anticipate and prepare for high-traffic periods.
The report also attributes the overall surge in tourism to major events like the Swazi Rally at Riders Ranch and the Eswatini International Trade Fair, which played a vital role in attracting both international and domestic crowds.
Accommodation Sector Flourishes
The increase in visitor numbers had a direct and positive impact on the hospitality industry. Accommodation facilities recorded an average overall occupancy rate of 84.9% in 2025, a significant 16.1% increase from the 68.8% recorded in the previous year. This reflects a robust demand and enhanced market competitiveness within the sector.
Hotels led the way with the highest occupancy at 86.7%, maintaining their position as the preferred accommodation type. Guesthouses followed closely at 86.0%, demonstrating consistent competitiveness, while game and nature parks recorded an encouraging 62.5%.
The Manzini–Mbabane corridor performed exceptionally well. Ezulwini emerged as the top-performing destination with a remarkable 94.9% occupancy rate, largely due to its strategic proximity to the eLudzidzini Royal Residence and the reopening of previously closed accommodation infrastructure. Mbabane and Manzini also showed solid growth, with occupancy rates of 76.0% and 71.4%, respectively.
These figures provide valuable insights for investors and hospitality providers, highlighting where demand is strongest and where there is potential for further development and strategic partnerships. The performance of key destinations and accommodation types is a strong indicator of a resilient and growing tourism economy.