Maputo recently played host to a groundbreaking Triland Public-Private Sector Engagement Workshop, bringing together tourism stakeholders from Mozambique, Eswatini, and South Africa’s Mpumalanga Province.
Co-hosted by the SADC Business Council Tourism Alliance, NEPAD Business Foundation, and the tourism authorities of all three destinations, the workshop marked a pivotal moment in revitalising cross-border tourism collaboration in the region.
The workshop built upon historical connections between these neighbouring territories. The connections between communities in these three areas have existed for centuries, long before modern borders were drawn. The Triland initiative aims to formalise these connections to create economic opportunities through tourism.
Three Destinations, One Experience
What makes the Triland initiative particularly compelling is the complementary nature of the tourism assets across the three destinations. Mpumalanga offers world-renowned wildlife experiences centered around the iconic Kruger National Park, along with breathtaking scenic drives along the Panorama Route. Mozambique contributes pristine Indian Ocean beaches and coastal experiences, with sites like Macaneta and the Maputo Special Reserve. Eswatini brings rich cultural experiences and royal traditions, offering authentic cultural immersion alongside wildlife viewing opportunities.
Together, these create a compelling proposition for international travellers – the opportunity to experience African wildlife, beaches, and cultural heritage all in a single journey across three countries.
Breaking Down Barriers
Workshop participants engaged in structured discussions to identify barriers currently impeding the seamless flow of tourists across the three destinations. Border crossing challenges emerged as perhaps the most significant obstacle, with inconsistent procedures, inadequate infrastructure, and long waiting times creating frustration for tourists.
Visa harmonisation also featured prominently in discussions, with participants noting that tourists from certain countries might be able to enter one Triland country without a visa but would need special permissions for others. This misalignment prevents tour operators from effectively marketing cross-border experiences.
Other barriers identified included safety perception challenges, bureaucratic regulations for businesses operating across borders, transportation infrastructure limitations, and fragmented marketing efforts.
From Barriers to Solutions
Rather than simply cataloguing these barriers, workshop participants focused on developing practical solutions. Through collaborative breakout sessions, several catalytic projects were identified for immediate implementation:
- Establishment of Joint Working Committees – Creating structured cooperation mechanisms with clear accountability frameworks across three working groups: Governance & Policy, Marketing & Digital, and Product Development.
- Unified Digital Presence and Marketing Strategy – Developing a comprehensive Triland website, shared digital assets, and coordinated marketing campaigns to promote the region as a single destination.
- Signature Tourism Routes Development – Identifying and mapping core cross-border routes that showcase the best attractions across all three countries, starting with a route connecting South Africa’s Panorama Route and Kruger National Park to Maputo and then to cultural experiences in Eswatini.
- Border Post Enhancements – Implementing immediate improvements to staffing, signage, and traveller information at key border crossings, while developing plans for longer-term infrastructure upgrades.
- Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS) – Adapting South Africa’s successful model to create a regional system for pre-vetting and certifying tour operators who would enjoy expedited border crossings for their clients.
- Cross-Border Events Development – Creating signature events that highlight the cultures and attractions of all three destinations, helping to drive visitation and extend tourist stays.
- Fast-Track Border System Design – Developing a premium service option for expedited border crossings, particularly beneficial for organized tour groups.
Building Tourism Resilience
An important component of the workshop was the presentation of the draft SADC Tourism Disaster Risk Management and Crisis Communications Framework. This framework provides a comprehensive approach to identifying, preparing for, responding to, and recovering from various tourism crises – from natural disasters and health emergencies to security incidents and reputational challenges.
By incorporating crisis management into the early stages of the Triland initiative, stakeholders demonstrated their commitment to developing not just an attractive tourism corridor, but a resilient one capable of weathering various challenges while maintaining a positive visitor experience.
The SADC Business Council Tourism Alliance will continue to support implementation efforts by facilitating public-private dialogue and providing technical support for the working groups. This reflects the Alliance’s broader role in executing the SADC Tourism Programme 2020-2030, which identifies regional tourism development as a key focus area for enhancing the competitiveness of Southern Africa as a global tourism destination.
Through initiatives like Triland, Southern Africa continues to demonstrate that shared futures depend on the ability to work across borders, combining distinct strengths to create experiences and opportunities greater than any single country could achieve alone.