MBABANE – The newly unveiled Ezulwini Palazzo has emerged as one of the first benchmarks for Eswatini’s hospitality industry as government moves to implement a national accommodation grading system aimed at improving service standards and boosting the country’s competitiveness as a tourism destination.
Speaking during the launch of the Eswatini Establishments Grading Programme at Happy Valley Hotel and Casino on Friday, Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs Jane Mkhonta-Simelane said establishments such as Ezulwini Palazzo were demonstrating that internationally recognised hospitality standards could be achieved in the Kingdom.
The minister described the Palazzo as a significant addition to the country’s hospitality landscape and said its successful grading would provide a visible benchmark for other establishments seeking to improve their standards.
“We celebrate the unveiling of the Ezulwini Palazzo, a stunning development that reflects the growing sophistication of our hospitality landscape,” she said.
She said the successful grading of premier establishments such as Happy Valley Hotel and Casino and Ezulwini Palazzo would not only recognise individual properties but would also inspire the wider industry to embrace quality assurance measures.
The launch marked the formal implementation of the Grading of Accommodation Establishments Regulations of 2012, enacted under Section 27 of the Eswatini Tourism Authority Act of 2001.
Mkhonta-Simelane said the grading system would provide a structured and legally supported framework for assessing accommodation facilities across the country.
“A thriving tourism economy cannot exist without robust quality assurance,” she said, adding that visitors needed confidence in the standards of accommodation available in Eswatini if the country was to establish itself as a premier tourism destination.
According to the minister, the grading system is expected to enhance consumer confidence by providing local and international travellers with a trusted framework for evaluating accommodation facilities. She said it would also strengthen Eswatini’s competitiveness within the regional tourism market and provide accommodation operators with a recognised basis for pricing their services.
The minister further announced the appointment of a National Grading Committee, which will oversee the grading process and safeguard the integrity of the system.
In addition, certificates were presented to newly trained Eswatini Tourism Authority facility grading assessors who will be responsible for conducting assessments of accommodation establishments throughout the country.
Mkhonta-Simelane urged the assessors to perform their duties with professionalism, saying they would play a critical role in ensuring that local ratings align with international expectations.
She said the initiative formed part of broader efforts to support Eswatini’s target of attracting two million tourists by 2027.
“When we elevate the standard of our accommodation, Eswatini wins as a country. We convert first-time visitors into lifelong ambassadors for the Kingdom,” she said.
While the programme was officially launched on Friday, the practical grading exercise continued on Saturday, with the minister unveiling the official grading plaque at Happy Valley Hotel and Casino in recognition of the establishment’s commitment to service excellence and compliance with the new standards.
The minister called on accommodation operators across the country to participate in the grading programme, saying it would help position Eswatini as a destination renowned not only for its culture, heritage and natural beauty, but also for the quality and reliability of its hospitality services.
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