KZN North Coast stands out at Africa’s largest tourism trade show in Durban
Nine KwaDukuza establishments earned certificates as part of the VTSD programme.
The North Coast was well represented at the 44th African Travel Indaba, which showed off our local tourism potential to some 9 000 delegates.Hosted by SA Tourism at the Durban International Convention Centre between May 13 and 16, the event drew exhibitors and buyers from 26 African countries.
It is the biggest tourism trade show on the continent and has shown consistent growth recently, increasing the number of exhibitors by 23% in the last year alone.
Enterprise iLembe represented local tourism under the KZN North Coast banner, alongside local trade and municipality representatives.
Aside from the main Indaba, they also joined a business networking session and travel market day, where they had the opportunity to position the North Coast as a business destination in conjunction with its leisure reputation.
This year’s theme ‘Unlimited Africa’ suited the North Coast’s offering well, given the wide range of tourism and commercial experiences that can be found here.
There was also a practical side to the event, where qualifying tourist establishments were awarded grading certificates as part of the South African Grading Council’s Basic Quality Verification Programme.
Grading at this level focuses specifically on support for homestays and other emerging tourism venues in villages, towns and small “dorpies” (VTSD).
This enables them to garner support from the tourism sector, even though they might not meet the core requirements of typical grading processes.
Nine KwaDukuza establishments earned certificates as part of the VTSD programme.
They are, in ward order, Palmland B&B (Ward 11), Mzansi B&B and Qalakahle Guest House (both Ward 17), Magugwana’s Guest House (Ward 18), Sea Rendipity Guest House and Sea Cale Villa (both Ward 22), Joyous Guest House (Ward 26), Kearsney Manor B&B (Ward 27) and Avoba B&B in Ward 29.
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