The Kwazulu-Natal tourism industry has stayed afloat amid the current recession and is expected to churn out profits in excess of R2-billion for its winter holiday season by the end of this month.
Tourism authorities said that while the tough economic times had affected the industry in general, major events being hosted in the province had softened the blow locally.
James Seymour, of Tourism KZN, said events like the Vodacom Durban July, the Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup 2009 Qualifiers, the British & Irish Lions tour, the Mr Price Pro, the Sardine Festival and other events have kept the tourism flow "decent".
"The Vodacom Durban July alone attracts in excess of 60 000 visitors, with an economic spend of well over R200-million. The Lions Tour attracted more than 22 000 visitors. Over the June/July period, we receive more than a million domestic tourists and in the order of 50 000 foreign tourists," he said.
Seymour said KZN benefited from the migration of holidaymakers to the coast to take advantage of the "moderate" winter weather during the school holidays.
"The recession is unfortunately beginning to have an impact, but because of KZN's major events, it has not affected us as badly as it has other provinces," he said.
Gerhard Patzer, KZN chairperson of the Federated Hospitality Association of SA, said three-star, four-star and five-star hotels were about 65 percent full, "which is one of the best (occupancy rates) so far this year", he said.
Airports Company SA spokesman Colin Naidoo said the airport had been buzzing with activity since the Lions tour got under way.
"Flights have been full to capacity. The Lions tour brought in a lot of chartered aircraft and extra scheduled aircraft. The Fifa beach soccer matches also attracted a lot of people. People were also flying into Durban for the school holidays and the Vodacom Durban July from Thursday to Saturday, and domestic flights were fully booked," he said.
Dave MacLeod, of Gameplan Media, which managed the beach soccer tournament (which wrapped up yesterday), said the event had been successful.
"It is growing every year. The support for all nine teams has been fantastic.
"The atmosphere, the media coverage and the management of the event has the Fifa organisers enthusing over it, putting Durban on a good footing for the bid to host the 2011 Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup," he said.