Eswatini Records 16.3% Rise in International Arrivals as Regional Tourism Strengthens
Eswatini recorded 84,744 international visitor arrivals in February 2026, representing a 16.3% year-on-year increase and continuing the country's positive momentum into 2026. Africa remained the dominant source market at 90.5% of total arrivals, with SADC countries accounting for 88.6% of that figure. Regional growth reached 18.8%, led by strong performances from Malawi (+210.3%), Tanzania (+39.7%), Zimbabwe (+36.7%), Mozambique (+27.7%), and Lesotho (+28.8%). The Middle East also posted a notable 46.5% surge, while Asia-Pacific grew by 9.9%. Europe and the Americas recorded declines of 7.9% and 8.4% respectively, attributed to rising travel costs, flight disruptions, and shifting consumer preferences. For the first two months of 2026, Eswatini recorded a cumulative 177,182 international arrivals - an 11.8% increase on the same period in 2025.
The figures build on a landmark 2025, in which Eswatini surpassed one million international arrivals for the year - a 7.5% year-on-year increase that Minister for Tourism and Environmental Affairs Jane Simelane described as affirming "renewed confidence in Eswatini as a competitive tourism destination." Speaking at an industry workshop in Mbabane, Simelane acknowledged that key metrics including average length of stay - currently 2.6 nights - and visitor spending remain below optimal levels, calling for targeted policy interventions. The minister highlighted domestic and diaspora tourism as a resilient growth segment and outlined strategic priorities including improved data systems, community-based tourism, and stronger public - private sector collaboration, in line with the national development agenda.
Source: Times of Eswatini