Swaziland featured in international tourism report

The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) recently noted Swaziland as one of the countries that contributed to tourism growth in Africa over the past year.
The UNWTO statement  said that while tourism in the rest of the world took a heavy knock from the global economic recession and threats of the N1H1 influenza, tourism in Africa grew by 4% in the first seven months of 2009. 
The organisation said the positive results in Africa reflected the strength of North African destinations around the Mediterranean and the positive results of destinations such as Kenya, South Africa and Swaziland. 
According to the Swaziland Observer, the country’s Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs Macford Sibandze was delighted that the global community recognised Swaziland’s contribution to tourism in Africa. He said even the smallest mention of the Kingdom’s role in the continent’s tourism growth meant a lot to the country as this put it on the global map. 
He attributed the success to the participation of the royal family and its associated heritage and culture, as well as government support of the tourism sector. The ‘Visit Swaziland’ campaign, strategically launched ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, has also raised its global profile. Swaziland is also part of the BBC (Bush, Beach, Culture) marketing concept with South Africa’s Mpumalanga Province and Mozambique, which showcases the Swaziland culture, Mozambique beaches and the nature reserves of Mpumalanga.