kzn tourism authority

KwaZulu-Natal Tourism Authority

Website https://zulu.org.za/ Email [email protected] Facebook https://www.facebook.com/KZNTourism Twitter https://twitter.com/TourismKZN Postal Address PO Box 2516, DURBAN, 4000 Street Address Ithala Trade Centre, 29 Canal Quay Road, Point, DURBAN 4001 Phone 031 366 7500 Directories Regional Tourism Authorities

Chief Executive Officer: Phindile Makwakwa (Acting) , Ms

• PO Box 2516, DURBAN, 4000
• 031 366 7500

KZN Tourism authorities note a steady increase in number of visitors

The travel ban across the world has hurt the South African travel industry, especially those destinations, which depend largely on international tourism.

• Image Credits :
• SABC-NEWS-TOURSM-R
• SABC Digital News
• 1 April 2021, 21:48 [SAST]

Tourism authorities in KwaZulu-Natal say the industry is slowly picking up after being devastated by the strict lockdown restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The province expects to welcome more leisure visitors over this Easter weekend, compared to the previous year. And, many pilgrims around the country will also travel to participate in religious gatherings.

KZN Tourism says it is anticipating an average occupancy rate of 50% for hospitality establishments.

The conferencing sector is also experiencing an upturn since lockdown regulations were eased to Alert Level 1.

The tourism industry contributes about 3% to the country’s Gross Domestic Product. But the lockdown brought the industry to its knees, with many businesses in the industry closing down. Others managed to stay afloat, thanks to the relief aid through government’s recovery plan.

However, authorities say Durban’s and the province’s attraction was anchored in domestic tourism.

Samantha Croft of Tsogo Sun in KwaZulu-Natal says they opened the Edward Hotel last month while the Maharani Hotel was opened this week. The Edward Hotel was one of the first to close its doors because of the pandemic’s effect on the industry.

“What has worked to our advantage under the circumstances is that we have been largely a domestic tourism destination, and then international numbers have been secondary in terms of our tourism market share. And so, we are really pushing for further growth domestically. Of course, starting with recovery, we work very closely with the South African tourism and other provinces in ways to recover.”

Tourism authorities say the spike in bookings is spread evenly across the province.

Tourism KwaZulu-Natal acting CEO, Phindile Makwakwa says they anticipate a 50% occupancy rate in holiday establishments. They expect more than 100 000 tourists overnight.

Destinations such as the Drakensberg and coastal areas on the far north coast are very popular.

“Uthukela is sitting at about 80% as well as Sodwana – a coastal offering on the northern part of KZN – is sitting at about 85%, and so all around we are seeing tourists changing the way they travel. They are exploring more of the province and of course, it’s good for our economy. We have a projection … this, we (think) will make, from the weekend, just over R700 million impact into our local economy.”

Earlier this week, President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed that inter-provincial travel will still be allowed. However, he advised South Africans to limit their travel as far as possible.

Visitors from Gauteng and Limpopo say they are happy that beaches will remain open throughout the Easter weekend.

“We are very happy that the beaches are open. We are from Johannesburg. We’ve come down for a couple of days to Durban. And we are very excited to be here. Due to the hard lockdown last year, we had to leave back home early,” says one visitor.

“The original plan was to come here during December 2020, but the introduction of lockdown resulted in us cancelling. And then we made the arrangement that whatever we have paid for our flights, for our hotels, we can use when the time allows,” says another visitor.

Tourism authorities and industry players are confident that a successful COVID-19 vaccine roll-out will lead to the opening of international travel routes and increase local appetite for travel to help the industry recover.

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Durban eyes ‘tourism development for tomorrow’s travellers’

The chairperson of the tourism business forum in the durban chamber of commerce said businesses needed to roll up their sleeves and come up with solutions that may be faced by the city..

The tourism business sector says it is willing to work with the government to bring Durban back to its former glory by attracting tourists and investors to the province.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Africa’s Travel Indaba in Durban on Thursday, CEO of the Tourism Business Council of South Africa, Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa said while businesses and the KwaZulu-Natal government were recovering from setbacks brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic and destructive floods, it was important to remain competitive.

ALSO READ |  Africa’s Travel Indaba to unlock the tourism potential of KZN

As the indaba came to a close on Thursday, the eThekwini Municipality held part of a panel discussion with industry experts which included the Tourism Business Council of South Africa, Durban Business Chamber and tourism investors and entrepreneurs.

The aim of the discussion was to unpack the theme “Durban is on the move: Zooming in the city’s commitment to tourism development for tomorrow’s travellers”.

According to Tshivhengwa, an event like the Tourism Indaba was an opportunity for Durban to show the rest of the world its capacity and capabilities in the travel and tourism sphere.

This is a momentous occasion. We are recovering from Covid-19 and the numbers are improving but we still need to remain competitive so that we are able to attract more events such as these to come to South Africa and most especially Durban

He said in doing so the city needed to improve its offerings and ensure that they were functional, from the hospitality to the governance, so that visitors were able to do more when they choose Durban.

Chairperson of the tourism business forum in the Durban Chamber of Commerce, Samantha Croft said businesses needed to roll up their sleeves and come up with solutions that may be faced by the city.

“We all know that Durban has had its challenges. The tourism sector is quite resilient and we can’t fold our arms and complain but we need to work with the city in coming up with solutions on how we are going to bounce back.

“Durban is the warmest place to be, it’s not many places that can welcome tourists to swim at the beach in July but it is our responsibility to ensure the beaches are safe to swim in,” she said.

eThekwini city manager Musa Mbhele said to ensure that Durban bounced back, it was vital for the public and private sector to be aligned in its vision.

ALSO READ |  KZN premier rates Africa’s Travel Indaba as a great success

“As the municipality we have to roll out the red carpet and cut the red tape to make it easy for businesses to obtain business permits and operate in Durban,” Mbhele said.

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KZN Tourism Acts

KwaZulu-Natal, a province of diversity, where we nurture relationships, value people & share the magic that is the Zulu Kingdom!

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• Contact Number: (033) 264 2500
• 19 Apr 2024
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Physical Address: 270 Jabu Ndlovu Street, Pietermaritzburg, 3201 Postal Address: Private Bag X9152, Pietermaritzburg, 3200

Tel: 033 264 2500

Fax: 033 264 2672

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Management Contact Information

Londiwe luthuli.

• Director: Head of Department
• Phone: +27 33 264 2515
• Email: [email protected]

Fikiswa Pupuma

• Acting Deputy Director General: Sector Development & Business Governance
• Phone: +27 33 264 2543
• Email: [email protected]

Sixtus Sibetha

• Acting Deputy Director General: Integrated Economic Development Services
• Phone: +27 33 264 2730
• Email: [email protected]

Khaya Mthethwa

• Chief Financial Officer
• Phone: +27 33 264 2584
• Email: [email protected]

Ranveer Persad

• Chief Director: Local Economic Development
• Phone: +27 33 264 2595
• Email: [email protected]

Navlene Thaver

• Chief Director: Business Regulation & Governance
• Phone: +27 33 264 2580
• Email: [email protected]

Chris Mtshali

• Chief Director: Enterprise Development
• Phone: +27 33 264 2535
• Email: [email protected]
• Chief Director: BEE Initiatives

Cosmas Hamadziripi

• Chief Director: Economic Planning
• Phone: +27 33 264 2781
• Email: [email protected]

Sibonelo Nzimande

• Chief Director: Tourism Development
• Phone: +27 33 264 9333
• Email: [email protected]
• Chief Director: Trade & Sector Development

Bonginkosi R. Dlamini

• Chief Director: Environmental Management
• Phone: +27 33 264 2643
• Email: [email protected]

Sthembiso Khanyi

• Chief Director : Cooperate Services
• Phone: 083 410 6508
• Email: [email protected]

Sizwe Dladla

• Acting Chief Director: District Operations
• Phone: 082 868 3940
• Email: [email protected]

Angel Sibisi

• Director: Marketing and Communications
• Phone: 033 328 8000
• Email: [email protected]

KZN tourism entrepreneurs set to showcase province’s rich culture at Indaba

A s thousands of delegates attending Africa’s Travel Indaba (ATI) 2024 descend on Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, emerging tourism entrepreneurs participating in the event are set to showcase their businesses and the province’s rich culture and history.

The Travel Indaba, which kicks off from 13 to 16 May 2024 at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (ICC), brings together exhibitors from various African nations and buyers worldwide to showcase a collection of products from across the African tourism sector.

The event also emphasises capacity building and knowledge sharing, benefiting all attendees, including smaller and emerging businesses in the industry.

The Travel Indaba is expected to be attended by delegates from 26 African countries, including 120 small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs).

Among the KZN entrepreneur exhibitors is Nkosikhona Ndlovu, the man behind Amangonyama Tour Operator, a 100% Black-owned company in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands.

Ndlovu said his aim is to deliver safety, education, and unforgettable experiences for his clients attending the indaba.

“For me, Africa’s Travel Indaba is a huge opportunity to showcase what we offer and to engage with potential buyers from across Africa. I am hoping to make valuable connections and secure future business opportunities,” Ndlovu said.

Entrepreneur Msizeni Mngadi, who is the owner of Indlondlo Cultural Village in the Valley of a Thousand Hills, said he is passionate about introducing visitors to the Zulu culture.

Mngadi noted that Indlondlo Cultural Village is not just a destination, but a portal into the heart and soul of the Zulu people.

“Here, visitors have the opportunity to delve into the essence of Zulu tradition through guided tours of traditional homesteads, captivating displays of dance and drumming, and interactive activities that allow for a hands-on exploration of Zulu customs,” Ndlovu said.

Danica Bartho, who owns Biweda Nguni Lodge and Tandweni Villa with her mother in the heart of Zululand, Northern KZN, said they are eager to showcase their projects to the world at ATI 2024.

Biweda Nguni Lodge offers a blend of comfort and affordability, with farmhouse charm, while Tandweni Villa offers a luxurious safari experience.

With a focus on empowerment and skill development, Bartho and her team provide a safe haven for previously disadvantaged women to flourish within the tourism industry.

“This [ATI] is not just about business, it is about forging connections, sharing stories, and opening doors to new opportunities and continuing our commitment to empowering women and promoting sustainable tourism,” Bartho said.

The ATI event kicks off with the Business Opportunity Networking Day (BONDay) on 13 May 2024.

BONDay is tailored to foster thought leadership and share global tourism insights under four streams: unlimited, discover, connect, and grow.

The day is crucial for advancing knowledge and exploring new opportunities in the tourism sector, offering invaluable networking opportunities, thought leadership discussions, and insights into global trends.

Welcoming Africa’s Travel Indaba back to the province, KwaZulu-Natal Economic Development, Tourism, and Environmental Affairs MEC, Siboniso Duma, said Africa’s Travel Indaba plays a significant role in KwaZulu-Natal tourism growth and has an immeasurable impact on the province’s economy.

“Again, this year, we will have several emerging tourism entrepreneurs participating as part of the Tourism KZN Tourism Enterprise Development Programme to afford them an opportunity to showcase their businesses and lock business deals to help them grow in the sector,” Duma said.

EThekwini Municipality Economic Development and Planning Committee Chairperson, Thembo Ntuli, emphasised the significance of the indaba for Durban, saying it is an instrumental platform for the tourism industry, which is firmly on the road to recovery.

“The show has become synonymous with the city of Durban, as we have hosted this critical tourism showcase over many years. The city’s economy will benefit immensely from hosting this three-day-long trade showcase as hotel occupancy is expected to be between 85% and 95%.

“In addition, local tourism products and community tourism organisations are ready and eager to engage with buyers, tour operators, and travel agencies to continue selling Durban as the destination of choice,” Ntuli said.

The 2023 edition witnessed remarkable growth, with a nearly 62% increase in attendance and over 1,033 exhibiting companies, attracting 8,688 delegates from 22 countries, and contributed R451m to eThekwini's GDP and R597m to KwaZulu-Natal, underscoring the event's significance.

KZN showcased at Africa’s Travel Indaba held in Durban

Kzn premier said they hope to use the travel indaba to help kwazulu-natal get the lion’s share of the tourism market..

HUNDREDS of delegates were in Durban this week as part of the three-day trade show, Africa’s Travel Indaba, held at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre.

Africa’s Travel Indaba is an iconic African leisure trade show owned by South African Tourism, with the specific objective of creating market access for the country’s vast array of African leisure tourism products.

Dube-Ncube said the trade show provides the ideal platform for African tourism exhibitors to showcase their offerings to international and local buyers, destination marketing companies and leisure tourism services partners.

As the tourism industry shows green shoots globally, she said one of the key sub-sectors the province wants to focus on is Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events (MICE).

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MICE make up a big part of global business travel since every industry has regular events of some kind. The main goal is always to bring professionals together, foster connections, promote new ideas and push growth.

“As a province, we will be at the forefront of ensuring that KwaZulu-Natal gets the lion’s share of the tourism market. As we all know, one of the biggest trends in the tourism environment is the blending of leisure tourism and business, known as ‘Bleisure Travel’ [blending of business and leisure travel].

“We would like to thank all of you for your continued support of Africa’s Travel Indaba. Indeed, Africa has limitless possibilities, and we must seize the opportunity to ensure that Africa’s time is now,” Dube-Ncube said.

The Premier noted that this year’s Africa’s Travel Indaba takes place at a time when South Africa is celebrating 30 years since the dawn of democracy, which ushered in a new era and assured our standing in the family of other nations.

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