On April 2nd 2025 – next Wednesday – leaders from government and the private sector, representing tourism, conservation, and community development will gather at Piggs Peak Hotel for a pivotal event in the global movement toward more sustainable travel: the Responsible Tourism Conference, themed “Building Shared Value in Practice.”
Hosted in the scenic highlands of northern Eswatini, the one-day hybrid conference will spotlight how tourism can be a force for good – creating economic opportunities, fostering cultural pride, and protecting the natural world.
Attendance is free and registration is still open for both online and in-person participation.
“Responsible Tourism is not just a buzzword,” says Glynn O’Leary, CEO and one of the event’s key organisers. “It’s about making better places for people to live in – and by doing so, better places for people to visit. This conference is a practical step towards that vision.”
The agenda includes a keynote address from Professor Harold Goodwin, internationally recognised expert and founder of the Responsible Tourism movement. He will present on “How Creating Shared Value Benefits Hotels and Their Neighbouring Communities,” drawing on inspiring global examples.
Attendees will also hear from:
- The Honourable Minister of Tourism, Mrs. Jane Mkhonta-Simelane
- The Honourable Minister of Finance, Mr. Neal Rijkenberg
- Local government and private sector leaders
- Project partners from Big Game Parks, MTN Bushfire Festival, and Ngwenya Glass Recycling
- DMOs from both Eswatini and the Kruger Lowveld area
The conference is aligned with the principles of the 2022 Responsible Tourism Charter, which calls on destinations and enterprises to take responsibility for minimizing negative impacts while maximizing the benefits for local people and ecosystems.
“We’re showcasing real-world collaboration between towns, tourism operators, and communities,” says O’Leary. “Piggs Peak is a living example of how tourism, when thoughtfully managed, can become a genuine engine for shared prosperity.”
The event will close with an open discussion session facilitated by Prof. Goodwin, aimed at generating tangible commitments and practical takeaways for implementation across Eswatini and beyond.
This conference is open to stakeholders across the tourism sector, from government to grassroots. Both in-person and online registrations are still open. For more information contact Elna Petersen on elna@tfpd.co.za or register here for either in-person attendance or to receive a link for online participation: https://
