M.Comm. (Tourism and Hospitality Management) / Community-based tourism is increasingly being developed and promoted as a means of reducing poverty in developing countries whereby the needs of local communities are met through the offering of a tourism product. The Swaziland Tourism Authority (STA) with the support of the European Union Fund has made significant contributions to the development of community-based tourism in Swaziland enabling rural communities to successfully develop tourist attractions. However, whilst many community-based tourism ventures have been established in developing countries, their operations have not been monitored properly. The same scenario exists in Swaziland where, at the operational level, when the projects are completely left in the hands of the communities, these projects seem to lack the drive and stagnate. It is apparent that most of these community-based tourism ventures are faced with a number of challenges at operational level. This study, therefore, investigated these operational challenges facing community-based tourism in Swaziland. The study used the mixed methods research design whereby qualitative data was collected through in-depth interviews, focus group interviews and participant observation. Quantitative data was collected from visitors to community-based tourism ventures through questionnaires. From the findings of the study, it was clear that operational challenges ranged from poor management to lack of operational resources and impatient communities among others. The report concludes by stating recommendations to possible solutions to these operational challenges.

This study is an evaluation of the factors influencing the delivery of Swaziland tourism industry towards its full potential. It will provide recommendations on what Swaziland can do to improve the delivery of this industry. The reason could be that, Swazis are not frequent tourists and do not consider tourism as an important income to the country. Also, there are no clear marketing strategies and policies put in place to address the tourism industry Again the capital output is low resulting in tourism employees not attending tourism workshops (e.g. Indaba Forum, Durban). Both employees in the Tourism and Customs departments are not well trained to deal with tourists. On this basis, there is a need to re-skill staff members in the industry so as to empower them with relevant skills. At the end, suggestions are made that Swaziland needs to introduce specific tourism Programmes at all levels of education (schools, communities, technicon, private sectors and University). This will propel their endeavour to improve the delivery of the tourism industry towards its full potential. The tourism programme must be monitored to ensure that it is accomplishing the recommended objectives. Monitoring will detect any problems that arise so that remedial measures can be taken before problems become serious. An evaluation at the end of the project is crucial. The evaluation should investigate issues like knowledge, land use, attitude, culture and beliefs of the country. The programme should expand to its stakeholders, Customs department, networking with other government ministries (Ministry of Education, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade) so as to share a wealth of resources that the tourist destinations provides. The result of this research will be of great importance because it could double the number of tourist’s arrival to the Kingdom of Swaziland. The study has used a case study method. / Thesis (MBA)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2003.

M. Com. (Marketing) in the School of Economic and Business Sciences at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg / The government of Swaziland has labelled the tourism industry as one of the national priority sectors that has maximum potential to stimulate economic growth through the creation of employment opportunities, poverty alleviation, and foreign income generation. The industry has birthed several supporting business areas such as tour operators, travel agencies, a new airport, and hotels and restaurants. Tourism scholars and practitioners acknowledge the importance of the destination‘s image as an influence on tourist behaviour. However, existing studies on Swaziland‘s tourism industry have focused on the development of the tourism industry, community-based tourism, outdoor recreation activities in game reserves, and the economic impact of tourism in Swaziland. As a result, there is limited research focusing on the perceptions of both local and international tourists regarding Swaziland as a tourist destination and how the destination image has influenced tourists‘ intention to revisit or recommend the destination to others. This study aims to identify the antecedents of future behavioural intentions of tourists in Swaziland. Employing a quantitative approach, destination image was the predictor variable and was hypothesized to positively influence satisfaction, attitude toward destination, and trust in the destination as mediating variables, and behavioural intentions as the outcome variable. Non-probability was used to sample both local and international tourists that visited Swaziland between the months of August and October 2016. Tourists were interviewed at Mantenga Cultural Village, Swazi Candles, Ngwenya Glass, and departing tourists were interviewed at the Sikhuphe International Airport. A total of 431 respondents were used in study. The data analysis was performed using SPSS 22 and Amos 22 Software Package. The majority of tourists were positive regarding Swaziland as a tourist destination. Tourists further on indicated that they had satisfactory experiences in Swaziland, and most stated that they trusted the destination. A lot of the tourists had a favourable attitude towards Swaziland and indicated high revisit intentions and positive recommendations. Furthermore, the findings in this study show that there is a positive and significant relationship between the destination‘s image and satisfaction. Additionally, the study reveals that satisfaction positively influences tourists‘ trust in the destination and their attitude towards the destination. Between attitude towards destination and trust in the destination, tourists‘ attitudes toward the destination were found to have a stronger effect on their behavioural intentions. / MT2017

Thesis (MTech. degree. Tourism and hospitality management) -- Tshwane University of Technology, 2013. / The purpose of this research was to analyse the community support for tourism in with specific reference to Ezulwini Valley. The research shows that, although some benefits have been identified, there remain many challenges in the Ezulwini Valley (EV). Since it is evident from various studies that community-based tourism brings more benefits for locals; more interaction is therefore needed between the locals and the government. Increased local involvement and participation will help to ensure that people are empowered and the conservation of natural resources takes place in Swaziland. The South African Government specifically indicated by means of the White Paper on the Development and Promotion of Tourism that responsible tourism should contribute to the sustainable development of Southern Africa. Economic, environmental and social guidelines should direct this type of tourism development and should encourage the involvement of the local communities through community-based tourism. The purpose of this research was to investigate the development of rural tourism in the Ezulwini Valley, analysing the involvement of the community in rural tourism, as well as identify potential unexploited rural tourism opportunities in the EV. The literature study revealed that the local community is not involved in making decisions concerning their environment and tourism development within their communities. The study also revealed a variety of possibilities that could contribute more to both entrepreneurial and employment opportunities for the local rural tourism communities in South Africa, and similarly for communities in Swaziland, such as the Ezulwini Valley. The target population in the study comprised of 200 questionnaires, and of these 177 or 88.5% completed the questionnaires. To clarify uncertainties resulting from the questionnaires that were used in the survey, an interview was conducted by the researcher with one authoritative person. The interview was with the director of the Swaziland Environmental Authority SEA), Mr. S.S. Vilakati. The objective of the interview was to prepare the questionnaire. The study includes a literature review related to community support for tourism in the Ezulwini Valley and a questionnaire. The questionnaire used includes open- and closed-ended questions. The target population is comprised by the residents of Ezulwini Valley. The majority of respondents agreed that they would support the community involvement (particularly by women) in decision-making. Respondents are also of the opinion that tourism is growing very fast in the Ezulwini Valley, in spite of certain inhibiting factors that require attention.

Thesis (MTech. degree in Architecture (Professional))--Tshwane University of Technology, 2011. / The thesis emcompasses the design of an interpretive and research centre in the Mvembili area, Swaziland. The centre will have a multifaceted function as it will include the following: a landmark gateway, museum and tourist centre, and a limited research facility for the water and flora of the immediate region. The thesis seeks to give the structure a symbolic and poetic quality which will interpret the cultural and natural aspects of the environment and people and subsequently provide meaning to visitors. It will also acknowledge the beauty of the natural surroundings through the building's form and use of material and technology.