Employment patterns and opportunities in the hospitality industry of Swaziland

This study investigates the extent of employment opportunities and patterns in the hospitality industry of Swaziland. Unemployment is a universal problem with which the political leadership of almost every country has to wrestle. Swaziland is a developing country faced with high unemployment, especially among the youth and women. In addition, high poverty levels, high population growth rate and the HIV/AIDS pandemic prevail in the country. A cross-sectional survey using questionnaires was conducted to collect the data. The respondents selected for this study were seventeen managers and 80 employees from the seventeen stratified randomly selected accommodation establishments (seven hotels, seven guesthouses and three lodges). Descriptive statistics such as the mean, percentages, standard deviation and cross-tabulation were used to analyse the data. Frequency tables, pie charts and bar charts are used to display the results. The results of the study revealed that the hospitality industry of Swaziland does generate adequate employment opportunities. People who are skilled or unskilled, young or old, male or female, with or without experience are found in this sector and most of them are employed on a permanent basis. The results also showed that there are more female than male employees and that most employees are Swazis. However, with regard to managerial positions, there are more males than females and the majority are non-Swazi. Seasonality, low pay and a low level of employee skills affect the hospitality sector. The staff turnover rate is low even though young and mobile people dominate the industry. The government of Swaziland is faced with the challenge of reducing the high unemployment figures. This is possible through the support and development of tourism-related projects.