High hopes for North Coast tourism boost this festive season

Hopes are high that the tourism industry will pick up considerably this festive season.

This was the sentiment of Nedbank business unit executive, Siphamandla Ndhlovu, at the annual iLembe Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism gala dinner last Thursday night.

The event also served as the launch of Capital Zimbali Hotel at the newly revamped location.

He said the region was heavily hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, with visitor spending dropping by more than 80%.

The good news is that the latest iLembe business confidence index, released in August, shows optimistic signs of an economic upturn, which will hopefully be enhanced further by the festive season tourism trade next month.

“Occupancy figures in the district are 80% up on Easter, which will boost the hospitality and retail industries. This bodes well for the summer holidays as hard lockdowns and travel bans are hopefully a thing of the past because of the vaccine rollout,” said Ndhlovu.

Capital Zimbali managing director, Marc Wachsberger, and Chamber president Lesa Bradshaw, spoke about resilience.

Bradshaw said an international pandemic, a mass riot and looting spree that heavily impacted 40 000 businesses, as well as the UPL chemical spill which impacted local trade with subsequent beach closures, had shaken business confidence.

“Yet, here we are as local businesses still in the ring, tenacious and determined, bobbing and weaving to dodge the blows and counter with nifty strategic footwork,” said Bradshaw.

She applauded local business people for their tenacity, focus and capabilities to lead their businesses, steer growth and create employment.

Capital Zimbali will officially open next Wednesday.

Wachsberger said they employ 220 workers, of whom 140 are existing employees of the then Fairmont Zimbali Hotel which went into business rescue last year and then closed at a cost of 220 jobs.

It was bought earlier this year by the Capital Hotel Group for R240-million.

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