Eswatini's Forestry Department Champions Conservation-Led Tourism
Eswatini's Department of Forestry has positioned itself as a key driver of responsible tourism following the third Responsible Tourism Conference, held at Piggs Peak Hotel on 1 May. The gathering brought together tourism operators, industry leaders, and key stakeholders to focus on translating environmental commitments into practical action, with discussions centred on aligning tourism development with biodiversity conservation and sustainable land use. A central call from the Department urged tourism operators to incorporate indigenous and endangered plant species into their landscapes, noting that such plants require less water and maintenance while providing critical habitats for native wildlife and creating conservation micro-habitats beyond formal reserves.
A significant development emerging from the conference was the Department's progress on a proposed Flora Reserve, covering approximately 105 hectares of Piggs Peak Hotel's natural area, to be declared under the Flora Protection Act, No. 5 of 2001. Initial stakeholder engagements and site assessments have been completed, with a management plan currently being finalised ahead of formal gazettement. Once established, the reserve is expected to serve as a model for integrating conservation into tourism infrastructure, offering visitors an immersive experience of Eswatini's natural heritage while protecting important plant species and ecosystems. The Department emphasised that responsible tourism delivers both environmental and economic returns, supporting habitat conservation and biodiversity restoration while creating employment and attracting eco-conscious travellers.
Source: Eswatini Positive News
