Sustainability Indicators for Swaziland

indicators | social | economic | natural resources | institutional

ECONOMIC ASPECTS OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN SWAZILAND

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

No information is available.

TRADE

No information is available.

Click here for the final Act of the Uruguay Round and related agreements

CHANGING CONSUMPTION PATTERNS

No information is available.

FINANCING

Constraints

Due to a lack of national capacity to review Environmental Impact Assessments, major development projects have had an adverse effect on the environment. Many of the environmental costs have been externalised to the people of Swaziland instead of being internalised by the developers.

This information was provided by the Government of Swaziland to the fifth session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development. Last update: 1 April 1997.

TECHNOLOGY

No information is available.

INDUSTRY

No information is available.

TRANSPORT

No information is available.

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

Background

Swaziland's scenic diversity and unique environmental resources (see Section 3), in combination with the country's resilient cultural traditions, readily lend themselves to tourism. The country has four main tourist regions: Mbabane and the Ezulwini Valley; Pigg's Peak and the North; Nhlangano and the South; and Eastern Swaziland.

The main road from Mbabane to Manzini (approximately 42 kilometres) descends the steep Malagwane Hill into the scenically beautiful Ezulwini Valley ("Valley of Heaven"). The valley contains numerous international-standard hotels and restaurants, a hot spring and spa, the Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, the spiritual home of the Swazi nation at the Lubombo Royal Kraal together with the Houses of Parliament, the national Museum, the Somhlolo National Stadium and the Embo State Palace.

The route from Mbabane northwards to Pigg's Peak passes remnants of early gold mining activities at Forbes Reef, Malolotja Nature Reserve and the highest peaks in Swaziland. The northwest section of the country has several private nature reserves and is suited to game-viewing, walking, hiking and horse-riding. There is also an international hotel and casino just north of Pigg's Peak.

The route southwards from Manzini through the Grand Valley to Hlatikhulu and Nhlangano is one of the most picturesque in the country, down steep hills and valleys of the Middleveld, following the Mkhondo River. The town of Nhlangano is the main agricultural centre of Shiselweni District. A large international-standard hotel and casino overlooks the Makhosini Valley.

The eastern portion of Swaziland, comprising the Lowveld and Lubombo, is a major cattle ranching and sugar producing area. Three of the country's proclaimed nature reserves are located in the east these are Hlane (game sanctuary), Mlawula (with rare species of cycad forests and early stone age tools dating back 1 million years) and Mkhaya (a refuge for endangered species). The town of Big Bend, situated on the Great Usuthu River, is only 54 kilometres from the Mozambique border and is rapidly developing facilities to cater for travellers from Mozambique.

Swaziland does not have any one particular world-renowned tourist destination. The tourism sector is therefore geared to providing a range of facilities emphasizing both biophysical and cultural attractions.

The country's nature reserves offer an assortment of accommodation, ranging from self-catering campsites to fully serviced chalets. In addition to tourist accommodations in nature reserves, there are several dozen hotels across the country that cater to tourism.

This page was last updated on 03 February 2004