The Easter season is a vital period for Eswatini, drawing a substantial number of visitors including international tourists and Emaswati living abroad who return home during this time. Visitors come for various reasons such as leisure, religious adherence and social purposes. This influx is crucial not only for local accommodation providers but also for generating employment and empowering communities.
During the Easter period under review (2025), Eswatini welcomed a total of 17 225 international visitors, largely driven by strong demand from regional markets. Additionally, 22 265 Emaswati residing outside the Kingdom returned, contributing significantly to spending on day visits and dining, both of which are important components of the country’s tourism GDP. This overall total of 39 490 visitors is a 38.9% rise compared to visitor arrivals during this review period in 2024.
The majority of international arrivals came from neighbouring countries, with South Africa accounting for 13 295 visitors and Mozambique contributing 1 571. Overall, visitors from the Southern African region made up over 93% of total arrivals during this period. Notable visits were also recorded from key international markets including the USA, France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Germany.
| Country of Residence | 2025 | 2024 | Difference | % Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RSA | 13 295 | 9 393 | 3 902 | 41.5% |
| Mozambique | 1 571 | 1 453 | 118 | 8.1% |
| Zimbabwe | 609 | 894 | -285 | -31.9% |
| USA | 159 | 124 | 35 | 28.2% |
| Malawi | 155 | 56 | 99 | 176.8% |
| France | 121 | 100 | 21 | 21.0% |
| Netherlands | 112 | 57 | 55 | 96.5% |
| Germany | 96 | 218 | -122 | -56.0% |
| UK | 89 | 67 | 22 | 32.8% |
| Botswana | 54 | 78 | -24 | -30.8% |
| Lesotho | 48 | 218 | -170 | -78.0% |
Below is a presentation of the Easter visitor trend by port of entry:
- Overall, increases were recorded in border posts accounting for larger shares of arrivals when compared to 2025:
- Ngwenya Border Post increased by 46.8% o Mahamba Border Post increased by 17.5% o Lomahasha Border Post declined by 19.1%
- Matsamo Border Post also increased
- Ngwenya Border Post accounted for the highest number of arrivals over the 4-days period with over 15 984 visitors recorded. Arrivals from the other main border posts were as follows:
- Lavumisa border post: 4 337 o Mahamba border post: 5 269 o Lomahasha border post: 1 122 o KMII International Airport: 508
- Matsamo border post: 6 011
The highest number of arrivals over the 4 days was recorded on Thursday and Friday.
Visitor arrivals during the Easter season in 2025 were 5.2% lower compared to the same period in 2019 displaying ongoing recovery efforts in Eswatini’s tourism sector.
| Accommodation Type | Total Number of Rooms Sold | Total Number of Rooms Available | Individual Occupancy Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel Occupancy | 1912 | 3085 | 62% |
| B&B Occupancy | 204 | 375 | 54% |
| GH Occupancy | 180 | 405 | 44% |
| Game/ Nature Occupancy | 194 | 475 | 41% |
| Total Easter Occupancy Rate 2025 | 2490 | 4340 | 57% |
The impressive performance of tourism was also reflected in the accommodation metrics indicator. Average room occupancy rates reached 63% during Easter weekend reflecting an increase of 8% from the 55% room occupancy rate recorded in 2024. Hotels registered the highest average occupancy (62%), while B&Bs (54%), guesthouses (44%) and game reserves (41%) also achieved impressive occupancy rates. By subregion, Mbabane (71%) accounted for the highest occupancy rate, followed by Ezulwini (53%) and Manzini (52%).
