TOURISM AUTHORITY TO UNDERTAKE DOMESTIC TOURISM SURVEY

MBABANE - The Eswatini Tourism Authority (ETA) will undertake a Domestic Tourism Survey starting from Monday.

The Research Statistics Officer for the organisation, Sebenzile Ginindza said they would gather information on travel patterns, experiences and preferences of emaSwati on the domestic tourism market.

The study will be done over a period of 30 days through telephone interviews. A representative sample of locals will be requested to provide information relating to their travel patterns, experiences and factors that influence their travel choices. 

Ginindza said the prevailing economic uncertainties within the country’s main source markets had been noted to have a depressing effect on international visitations to the country.

“The extended consequences of the declines in international tourism demand are stagnations and even decreases in tourism expenditure, employment and output,” she said.

She said this reality had prompted ETA to review its marketing priorities to consider a more inward approach that would stimulate domestic tourism activity.
She added that the rationale to collate data on domestic tourism was further affirmed by the relatively high volumes of emaSwati, who travelled to neighbouring South Africa on an annual basis.

“For instance, in 2018 a total of 1 559 554 emaSwati exited the country to and through South Africa, and of this figure a significant proportion was registered by South Africa Tourism as having spent an average of over E2 200 per visit,” she said.

Ginindza said the main objective of this study was therefore to gain insights on the demographics, travel choices, accommodation and attraction preferences and experiences of locals in their engagement with the local product.
She explained that the target population were emaSwati who were above 21 years and were employed regardless of whether they had travelled within the country for leisure purposes.

Findings

“The findings from this survey will give better understanding of domestic visitor demands and inform planning of tourism product development and marketing strategies by ETA and industry players,” she said.

Ginindza said the domestic tourism survey would reinforce ETA’s efforts to achieve its goal of increased geographic spread, increased length of overnight stay and increased tourism receipts.

She added that the ETA in partnership with the local tourism industry would offer prizes to a sizeable number of participants of the survey.
“A total of 15 emaSwati who will have been interviewed, will stand a chance to win an assortment of prizes ranging from meals for two, activities in attraction sites and weekend stays,” she said.

She also requested members of the public to be responsive and provide honest feedback, adding that the study was aimed at providing quality and attractive tourism products for the enjoyment of emaSwati.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: