uMhlanga Tourism still going strong
Last year uMhlanga Tourism ended the year off on a low note when it had to use funds from its savings account to run, but at the end of this financial year, uMhlanga Tourism came back with a bang, having paid back the moneys taken from the account.
UMHLANGA is still a popular tourism destination, with tourists from the United Kingdom, Germany and the United States flocking to the sunny the area’s sunny beaches.
According to chairman of uMhlanga Tourism, Peter Rose, there’s been an increase of Russian visitors who enjoy the warm weather, beautiful beaches, high value for money and South African wine. Rose said the Russian market has huge potential for development.
“What stunned me was the amount of money the Russians have to spend. Some visitors have even said it’s a good value tourism destination,” Rose said.
He added many Russian visitors have said to him they thought uMhlanga would be a low market destination, but were pleasantly surprised to find it was an up market destination.
“I am trying to get Tourism KwaZulu-Natal and Durban Tourism to pursue the Russian market,” he added.
Durban Tourism has found that 16 per cent of Durban’s tourists are international visitors, who spend more than 60 per cent in the region.
Rose was again elected as chairman of uMhlanga Tourism at its annual general meeting (AGM) on Wednesday 11 September.
Speaking at the AGM, Rose said that uMhlanga Tourism ended 2012 on a low note when it had to use funds from its savings account to run.
But at the end of this financial year, uMhlanga Tourism came back with a bang, having paid back the moneys taken from the account.
He said the negative bank balance at the end of last year was mainly due to members not paying their fees.
“With more than 600 members, around 142 existing members did not pay their subscriptions. We are currently looking into those members who have received rates rebates, but did not pay their subs,” Rose said.
It is a requirement for various tourism organisations and businesses to become members of the local community tourism office (CTO) to receive the annual rates rebate.
“In the eThekwini region, there are nine community tourism offices. uMhlanga Tourism is well placed to play a central role in development of the area. As the chairman of uMhlanga Tourism, I will diligently represent the interest of uMhlanga Tourism,” Rose added.
Rose, who is also chairman of the eThekwini Region community tourism offices and the Community Tourism Association, said the uMhlanga Tourism’s internet cafè is a huge success, adding its ongoing projects, such as the uMhlanga and Surrounds Visitor’s Guide, uMhlanga Pocket Guide, the uMhlanga page in the What, Where and When guide are also still in great demand.
uMhlanga Tourism also secured a month’s free screening of a DVD about uMhlanga on all Mango flights.
Rose said the office’s success is also thanks to the various festivals and held in the area, such as the July Winter Festival, the Easter Festival, the December Carnival, Carols by Candelight, trial running events and the Summer Carnival.
uMhlanga Tourism thanked the municipal staff and the UIP for keeping the beaches safe, clean and green and urged tourism organisations and business to drive tourism into townships to experience South Africa’s rich cultural and heritage backgrounds.
Visit www.umhlangatourism.co.za or contact the office on 031 561 4257.
