Mbabane: Vakasha Ngwane!
Local tourist establishments have responded positively to promoting domestic tourism and encouraging EmaSwati to visit and explore their own country.
Every week tourists’ establishments and Eswatini Tourism Authority (ETA) carry out promotions where they give out gifts ranging from “A Weekend Away’, ‘A Night Out’ and ‘Dinner Meals” within tourists establishments in the country.
The industry has also dropped prices up to 50 percent on accommodation since the launch of the domestic tourism campaign in September. The campaign has been dubbed “A Wonder Awaits You, Explore It”, all meant to encourage EmaSwati to visit their own country at very low prices.
Recently, every week, tourists’ establishments together with Eswatini Tourism Authority arrange giveaway promotions for EmaSwati.
“Every week we run competitions for EmaSwati to win and enjoy visiting local places for free,” said ETA Head of Marketing, Siboniso Madlopha.
The competition’s giveaways and discounts are always posted on Eswatini Tourism Facebook and Intagram pages. EmaSwati are encouraged to follow the pages to get posted on the promotions and giveaways available.
The same content is also share d on Vakasha Eswatini, a Facebook group created mainly to promote locals tourist destinations in support for domestic tourism. In this group EmaSwati post their pictures and share their experiences as they visit their own country.
To ensure that tourist establishments are not hot sports for COVID-19 Eswatini Tourism Authority has implemented heath guidelines which were endorsed by the Ministry of Health and the World Travel Organization (WTO).
The industry has also been trained on the regulations to ensure adherence and compliance. According to the minister of tourism this is meant to bring confidence to the tourism industry and ensure that there is no risk of spreading the COVID-19 virus in the establishments.
Tourism in Eswatini has been identified by government as one as one of the five pillar of economic recovery in the governments strategic plan 2018-2013.
Due to the covid-19 pandemic the tourism industry suffered a huge blow as governments implemented travel bans.
Earlier this year, Eswatini was named by Lonely Planet Magazine as one of the top ten countries to be visited in 2020 globally. This recognition has put Eswatini into the world’s spotlight.
Known for its outstanding scenery and abundant wildlife, the Kingdom of Eswatini is a nature lover’s paradise. Eswatini has a number of hiking, biking, and horseback-riding opportunities, and its many national parks offer glimpses of everything from rare birds to endangered black rhinos.
Known for being especially friendly and laid-back, the Swati people are committed to preserving their culture in the face of modernization, which means that traditional customs play a large part in everyday life.
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