This past weekend, Eswatini Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Moses Vilakati, awarded certificates to 138 guides who completed a tourist guide course facilitated by the Hospitality and Tourism Association of Eswatini.

"This tourist guide course means that Eswatini has new tourism ambassadors who will not only promote the country to international and regional tourists but will themselves come to the country as visitors the next time so they see more of Eswatini.

“It is my humble belief that the knowledge acquired in this training will benefit the sector and ensure that the right information about the Kingdom’s key feature is accurately shared with visitors, which will make them fall in love with destination Eswatini," said Vilakati.

The Minister further noted that the training happened in the backdrop of the MTN Bushfire Festival, which saw over 20 000 guests from 50 countries in attendance. “Despite establishments being fully booked and busy, the industry made sure that they all go with a positive image of the country having had the royal experience.

"This speaks volumes about how the sector has staff that are able to cope even under pressure and it is this ability to deliver a quality product that will see tourists returning to the country again and again," Vilakati concluded.