KZN to rake in a over billion thanks to visitors

KZN has rolled out the red carpet for thousands of holiday makers who have started descending on the the coastal province from across the length and breadth of the of South Africa and neighbouring states.
As part of the Zulu Kingdom’ s Festive Season Welcoming Campaign, the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs and its various social partners, today hosted activities directed at receiving visitors at different entry points to the province. These included providing holiday makers with information on the province’s diverse tourist attractions that would guarantee all visitors a memorable experience of what the province could offer to the world in the form of among other things, events, sightseeing and a plethora of other recreational activities.
The high traffic volumes that have started streaming down to the eastern sea-board illustrates that an exciting prospect for a real bumper holiday period and MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Sihle Zikalala is optimistic this would have positive spin-offs for the economy of the province especially the hospitality and recreational sector.

Certainly, this would be an improvement from the 2016 performance where the province recorded about R1. 214 billion from domestic tourists.
“We have had a very fruitful campaign to welcome our visitors which we believe will indeed have an exciting time throughout their stay in our warm and friendly province. The holiday makers we interacted with today were all looking forward to exploring some of our many tourism offerings. We have no doubt that we will get more than 600 000 domestic visitors that could translate to around R1. 253 billion in tourism receipts into our province’s economy. On the international tourist front, we are also expecting good numbers this year which could be in the region of 138 000 visitors with total average spend of R773 a day to add another R1. 06 billion to the economy of KwaZulu-Natal,” added Zikalala.
Certainly, this would be an improvement from the 2016 performance where the province recorded about R1. 214 billion from domestic tourists. The welcoming campaign as stated above featured various stakeholders such as municipalities and as well as provincial government public entities such as Tourism KwaZulu-Natal and the KwaZulu-Natal Liquor Authority – with the latter driving public awareness about adverse implications for irresponsible trade and consumption of alcoholic beverages. Visiting motorists were therefore reminded about the negative impact of road carnages on the country’s economy and general social life.
Acting Chief Executive Officer for Tourism KwaZulu-Natals Phindile Makwakwa said the number of people who visit KwaZulu-Natal during the festive season continued to grow each year because the province offered a wide choice of tourist attractions and the human factor, punctuated by top drawer customer service and general friendly reception by the province’s residents, had also ensured that this coastal region remains a premier destination for both local and international visitors.
“We call on our people to continue to welcome our visitors with warmth so that when they go back to their respective provinces or countries, they become good KZN ambassadors. We also urge holiday makers to use registered tourism accommodation establishments to ensure value for their money and do not hesitate to visit our information offices, where one of our friendly staff members would be able to respond to whatever queries. For more information visitors could visit our website zulu.org.za whilst following us on social media for updates on our festive season events, and #DO KZN.”