The inaugural meeting of the Pigg’s Peak Tourism Forum has been held in Eswatini, bringing together a selection of industry, government, community and conservation stakeholders to explore how responsible tourism can support economic and community development in the Pigg’s Peak region of Eswatini.
The meeting provided an opportunity for stakeholders to discuss the region’s significant tourism potential and the need for stronger collaboration to establish Pigg’s Peak as a preferred responsible tourism destination. Participants agreed on the importance of creating a coordinated tourism strategy, improving destination marketing and developing activities and experiences that encourage visitors to stay longer in the area.
Participants included representatives from Pigg’s Peak Town Council, the Eswatini Tourism Authority, ENTC, local hotels and businesses, conservation organisations and cultural stakeholders, alongside representatives connected with the International Centre for Responsible Tourism global and ICRT Southern Africa.
Key opportunities discussed included the potential of the Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains World Heritage Site and the MR20 GeoTrail, as well as the development of adventure tourism, hiking and 4×4 routes, cultural experiences, traditional crafts, historical sites and community-based activities. The possibility of reviving a wider Tourism and Biodiversity Corridor initiative was also explored, with Pigg’s Peak potentially serving as a hub connecting tourism routes across the region.
The meeting also highlighted the importance of improving infrastructure, road maintenance and tourism signage, particularly to ensure visitors can access and discover the area’s attractions. Participants discussed the need to map local attractions and activities using GIS expertise and to create a comprehensive database that could support future tourism packages and destination marketing.
Environmental and conservation issues were also raised, including concerns about water resources and the impact of illegal mining. The forum recognised the need to bring together tourism, conservation and community interests to address these challenges and support responsible development.
Several practical initiatives were identified, including exploring the development of a museum or historical attraction at Highlands Inn, revitalising cultural and heritage sites, supporting local artisans and crafts, and investigating the potential for events such as a choir festival to attract visitors and generate economic opportunities.
The meeting concluded with agreement to establish a small working committee or nucleus group to coordinate priorities and maintain momentum. Stakeholders will work together to map the region’s attractions, engage with the Roads Department and other relevant authorities, develop tourism experiences and strengthen collaboration between government, industry and local communities. Participants also agreed to meet regularly, with quarterly or biannual meetings proposed for the wider forum.
The inaugural meeting marks an important step towards a more coordinated approach to responsible tourism development in Pigg’s Peak, with stakeholders committed to working together to build on the area’s natural, cultural, geological and historical assets.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License