Durban - Despite fears that the drought could have a negative effect on the province’s tourism sector, Tourism KZN has revealed that tourism businesses in the province had a successful season, raking in about R3-billion.
Tourism KZN chief executive Ndabo Khoza said it had been a busy holiday period and that there were still holidaymakers at numerous resorts across the province. He said they expected the remaining visitors to make their way home this weekend.
“This substantial economic boost affirms KZN’s popularity and competitiveness as a destination of choice and visitors’ growing confidence in getting a rewarding holiday in the Zulu Kingdom,” he said.
Khoza said many beachfront hotels were fully booked in Durban, on the South Coast and the North Coast. The overall hotel occupancy was about 90 percent in December. He added that last month’s success would motivate the sector to reach for even greater heights.
“Tourism KZN anticipates an increased flow of tourists into the province all year round and most importantly an increase in arrivals due to the new airlines launched last year: Turkish Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines and Qatar Airways.
“The new routes and affordable packages will most likely offer a lengthened holiday season to our international tourists,” he said. “The Short Left campaign remains our main force to get people to re-discover KZN’s attributes of warmth, family orientation, and friendliness.”
Khoza said Tourism KZN also had its eyes on the big annual events in the province, “that always bring in a significant economic contribution into business tourism destination management”.
He said they hoped for increased visitor numbers when the Midmar Mile, Dusi Canoe Marathon, PMB City Marathon, Metro FM Awards, and Splashy Fen were held.
The Mercury