Mbabane – Eswatini recorded a decline in tourist arrivals during December 2025, with 103 798 visitors entering the country, marking a 6.6% drop compared to December 2024, according to the Eswatini Tourism Authority.
Regional travellers continued to dominate, although numbers fell across key markets. South Africa led with 65 223 visitors, down 12.8% from last year. Mozambique followed with 21 343 arrivals, a 21.7% decrease, while Zimbabwe contributed 5 454 visitors, down 13.8%.
Overseas markets also saw lower numbers. The Netherlands sent 654 tourists, a 25.1% decline, the United States had 647 arrivals, down 12.2%, and France recorded 446 visitors, the largest drop among the top overseas sources at 32.5%.
The report highlighted Taiwan, Malawi, and Tanzania as emerging markets showing growing interest in Eswatini, suggesting potential for diversification in tourist sources. Visitors spent an average of 1.85 nights in the country during the festive period.
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