Tourism in Swaziland

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Swazis dancing in a cultural village show Ssa clem 48.jpg
Swazis dancing in a cultural village show

Tourism in Swaziland is a successful industry. Most of the tourists who visit Swaziland arrive by road from South Africa. Swaziland's tourism industry developed during the apartheid era in South Africa and this shaped many of its distinctive attractions. Since the end of apartheid, Swaziland has emphasized its traditional culture as a tourist attraction.

South Africa Republic in the southernmost part of Africa

South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by 2,798 kilometres (1,739 mi) of coastline of Southern Africa stretching along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring countries of Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe; and to the east and northeast by Mozambique and Eswatini (Swaziland); and it surrounds the enclaved country of Lesotho. South Africa is the largest country in Southern Africa and the 25th-largest country in the world by land area and, with over 57 million people, is the world's 24th-most populous nation. It is the southernmost country on the mainland of the Old World or the Eastern Hemisphere. About 80 percent of South Africans are of Sub-Saharan African ancestry, divided among a variety of ethnic groups speaking different African languages, nine of which have official status. The remaining population consists of Africa's largest communities of European (White), Asian (Indian), and multiracial (Coloured) ancestry.

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Apartheid era

The adoption of apartheid in South Africa and civil war in Mozambique contributed to Swaziland's appeal as an alternative tourist destination in Southern Africa. This led to growth in Swaziland's tourism industry from the 1960s to the 1990s. [1] During the apartheid era in South Africa, Swaziland drew many visitors by adopting different policies than South Africa. Many tourists visited Swaziland during that time in order to watch television programs or sporting events that they could not view in South Africa. [2] During apartheid in South Africa, Swaziland also legalized gambling in order to draw tourists what brought significant economic prosperity. [3]

Mozambican Civil War civil war

The Mozambican Civil War was a civil war fought in Mozambique from 1977 to 1992. Like many regional African conflicts during the late twentieth century, the Mozambican Civil War possessed local dynamics but was also exacerbated greatly by the polarizing effects of Cold War politics. The war was fought between Mozambique's ruling Marxist Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (FRELIMO) and anti-communist insurgent forces of the Mozambican National Resistance (RENAMO).

Mozambique country in Africa

Mozambique, officially the Republic of Mozambique, is a country located in Southeast Africa bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east, Tanzania to the north, Malawi and Zambia to the northwest, Zimbabwe to the west, and Eswatini (Swaziland) and South Africa to the southwest. The sovereign state is separated from the Comoros, Mayotte and Madagascar by the Mozambique Channel to the east. The capital of Mozambique is Maputo while Matola is the largest city, being a suburb of Maputo.

Lake with hippos in the Mlilwane reserve Mlilwane.jpg
Lake with hippos in the Mlilwane reserve

The number of tourists visiting Swaziland increased from 89,015 in 1972 to 257,997 in 1989. In 1988 tourism was 3% of the GDP of Swaziland and more than 4% of its total exports. Although the traditional Monarchy of Swaziland has often been cited as a factor that attracts tourists, tourism has also been credited with causing modernization in Swaziland. [2] Although the increases in tourism seen in Swaziland have been alleged to have caused an increase in prostitution, there is no evidence that prostitution was a factor in the growth of the Swaziland tourism industry. The increase in tourism did cause the centers of prostitution in Swaziland to shift from mining areas to hotels. [4]

Prostitution practice of engaging in sexual relations in exchange for payment

Prostitution is the business or practice of engaging in sexual activity in exchange for payment. Prostitution is sometimes described as sexual services, commercial sex or, colloquially, hooking. It is sometimes referred to euphemistically as "the world's oldest profession" in the English-speaking world. A person who works in this field is called a prostitute, and is a type of sex worker.

Post-apartheid

After the end of apartheid in South Africa and conclusion of the Mozambican Civil War made its neighbors more appealing tourism destinations, the growth of the tourism industry in Swaziland decreased. Many of the tourists who visit Swaziland are traveling between Mozambique and South Africa. Most tourists only stay for one night and many visitors only take day trips to the country. [1]

Due to the lack of other major industries, tourism is viewed by many in Swaziland as a potential source for future economic growth. [5] Since its establishment in 2003, the Swaziland Tourism Board has emphasized the fact that Swaziland is the last sub-Saharan African monarchy. Royal celebrations such as the Incwala Kingship festival are viewed as potential venues for greater tourism growth. They have also attempted to attract tourists to the game parks of Swaziland. [1] In 2006 Swaziland signed on to the Lubombo Route agreement along with South Africa and Mozambique. The agreement allowed tourists to travel across the three countries with a single visa. [6]

Sub-Saharan Africa area of the continent of Africa that lies south of the Sahara Desert

Sub-Saharan Africa is, geographically, the area of the continent of Africa that lies south of the Sahara. According to the United Nations, it consists of all African countries that are fully or partially located south of the Sahara. It contrasts with North Africa, whose territories are part of the League of Arab states within the Arab world. The states of Somalia, Djibouti, Comoros and the Arabic speaking Mauritania are however geographically in sub-Saharan Africa, although they are members of the Arab League as well. The UN Development Program lists 46 of Africa’s 54 countries as “sub-Saharan,” excluding Algeria, Djibouti, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Somalia, Sudan and Tunisia.

Incwala main ritual of Kingship in the Kingdom of Swaziland

Incwala is the main ritual of kingship in the Kingdom of Eswatini. This is a national event that takes place during the summer solstice. The main person in incwala is the King of Eswatini; when there is no king there is no incwala. Incwala takes place over a period of time of about a month, starting with the small incwala, incwala lencane, and culminating in the big incwala, incwala lenkhulu. A number of activities—such as lusekwane, kuhlamahlama, and umdvutjulwa—mark the key events of this age old tradition.

Arrivals by country

Most visitors arriving to eSwatini were from the following countries of nationality: [7]

Country201620152014
Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 814,220810,249856,492
Flag of Mozambique.svg  Mozambique 202,042181,271219,555
Flag of Zimbabwe.svg  Zimbabwe 49,29569,46758,624
Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 22,89521,51021,669
Flag of France.svg  France 21,25319,36014,152
Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 20,75017,41417,874
Flag of the United States.svg  United States 18,01417,98817,359
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 15,50314,64615,813
Flag of Pakistan.svg  Pakistan 7,4505,2164,242
Flag of India.svg  India 6,8675,1455,031
Flag of Portugal.svg  Portugal 6,6106,0476,720
Flag of Botswana.svg  Botswana 5,9695,8335,913
Flag of Lesotho.svg  Lesotho 5,6825,0925,554
Flag of Tanzania.svg  Tanzania 5,6596,3115,718
Total1,278,5871,255,9011,324,621

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References

  1. 1 2 3 Hall, James (14 April 2004). "Swazi tourism looks to the future". Mail & Guardian. Johannesburg. Retrieved 26 April 2011.
  2. 1 2 Harrison, David (1992). "Tradition, modernity and tourism in Swaziland". Tourism and the less developed countries. Belhaven Press: 148–162.
  3. Helmut Wachowiak (2006). Tourism and borders: contemporary issues, policies, and international research. Burlington: Ashgate Publishing, Ltd. p. 256. ISBN   978-0-7546-4775-1.
  4. Harrison, David (1994). "Tourism and prostitution: sleeping with the enemy? : The case of Swaziland". Tourism Management. Elsevier. 15 (6): 435–443. doi:10.1016/0261-5177(94)90064-7.
  5. Brown, Tara (8 October 2006). "The king and I: King Mswati The Third". 60 Minutes. Nine Network. Retrieved 26 April 2011.
  6. Meyer, Jani (7 May 2006). "SA signs tourism pact with Mozambique". The Independent Online. Retrieved 25 April 2011.