The Eswatini Tourism Authority (ETA), in collaboration with the European Union (EU) in Eswatini and the International Trade Centre (ITC), has kicked off a Training of Trainers program aimed at strengthening the skills of community tour guides. The workshop, taking place at SibaneSami Hotel, brings together inbound tour operators, tour guides, and community-based guides for an intensive session running until Friday, March 28.
ETA CEO Vusie N. Dlamini welcomed participants, while Luis Miguel Pascoal, Program Officer for Private Sector Development, Business Climate, Sustainable and Inclusive Growth, was also present at the opening. The program is designed to equip local trainers with the expertise needed to develop highly skilled community guides who serve as cultural ambassadors and custodians of Eswatini’s heritage.
The training curriculum incorporates not only technical skills but also sustainability, professionalism, and community empowerment, ensuring a lasting impact on the tourism sector. By investing in the capacity of trainers, the initiative aims to elevate the quality of guided experiences across the country.
ETA expressed appreciation for the continued support from the EU and ITC, recognizing their role in fostering knowledge-sharing initiatives and strategic interventions that contribute to the long-term sustainability of Eswatini’s tourism industry. The training is being facilitated by tourism education expert Lisa Gordon-Davis.
