Mbabane – Eswatini welcomed 92 615 tourists in August 2025, representing a 7.6 percent increase compared to the same month last year, according to data released by the Eswatini Tourism Authority (ETA).
South Africa remained the leading source market with 52 915 arrivals, a 4.8 percent rise from 2024. Mozambique recorded 17 664 visitors, marking a sharp 33.8 percent jump, while Zimbabwe added 5 214 visitors, up by 15 percent.
From overseas, the Netherlands led with 2 248 visitors though arrivals dropped by 29.2 percent. France fell by 23.4 percent to 1 362 visitors, and the United States declined by 14 percent with 954 arrivals. The United Kingdom maintained stable numbers, while growth was reported from emerging markets such as Malawi, Kenya, and Taiwan.
Across regions, Africa accounted for 80 858 arrivals, or 87.3 percent of the total, driven by Mozambique and South Africa. Malawi posted the highest growth at 284.6 percent, mainly from business travel, while Kenya grew by 32.3 percent and Zambia by 3 percent.
The Asia and Pacific region recorded a 16.3 percent increase, led by Taiwan at 97.6 percent, Pakistan at 28.5 percent, and China at 24.7 percent. In contrast, arrivals from the Middle East dropped by 12.9 percent and Europe contracted by 18.9 percent, with significant declines from France, the Netherlands, and Germany, attributed to rising travel costs and a preference for shorter-haul trips.
Tourism officials noted that August marked the eighth consecutive month of growth, with 6 506 more visitors compared to last year. Events such as the Standard Bank Luju Food and Lifestyle Festival, the Swazi Bikers Rally, and the Khabane Walk contributed to the rise in arrivals.
From January to August 2025, Eswatini has recorded 700 981 visitors, a 14 percent increase year-on-year. Officials say the country is on course to reach the one million visitor milestone before the end of the year.
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