The Eswatini Tourism Authority (ETA) has warned travellers to be aware of scammers who might want to sell them fake packages this festive season. The warning comes as local operators undertake an educational tour of KwaZulu-Natal. ETA Head of Marketing and Communications Chunky Mdluli-Dlamini said that people should take note of who they are buying packages from and the costs.
Mdluli-Dlamini said that they had seen on social media that there were many people marketing tourist attractions as well as holidays and also offering packages. She urged locals to be cautious and confirm if the places being sold were real so that buyers get the full experience. The ETA is urging agents to choose the right transport and right places for packages.
The ETA has advised members of the public to report anyone suspected of selling bogus or sinister packages to the authority so that they can be investigated. The public can contact the ETA on 7808 9000 or via email at [email protected]. This move aims to protect tourists and locals from scammers.
A team of 10 outbound tour packaging operators, guides, agents, and officials from the ETA are currently visiting KwaZulu-Natal province to learn about its tourism industry. The group left Eswatini on Sunday through the Lavumisa Border Post and is expected to return on Thursday. The tour is hosted by the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority in collaboration with the ETA.
The educational tour aims to position KwaZulu-Natal as a premier tourism destination through enhanced product knowledge, itinerary draft validation, relationship building, and increased sales conversion. The team visited the Ghost Mountain Inn and explored the scenic beauty of the Jozini Dam, which also falls within Eswatini. The tour operators and guides were taken for a boat cruise experience at Jozini Dam.
The ETA and KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority have a Memorandum of Understanding that was signed two years ago, allowing them to share ideas. As part of the tour, the team will also visit the Jozini Tiger Lodge and other places. The ETA is also planning to host tour operators, guides, and agents from KwaZulu-Natal in Eswatini.
The ETA is taking steps to educate tour operators, agents, and guides on how to package destinations, host, and market the tourism industry well on their social media pages. The authority is working to ensure that tourists have a genuine and enjoyable experience in Eswatini and KwaZulu-Natal.
Key points
- Travellers are advised to verify operator credentials, authenticate destination properties, and vet transport arrangements before booking festive deals.
- The ETA has a hotline (7808 9000) and email ([email protected]) for reporting suspicious packages.
- The educational tour is part of a joint initiative under the 2-year-old ETA and KwaZulu-Natal Tourism & Film Authority MoU.
