Tourism sector targeted to revive Richards Bay

AFTER decades as a boom town, the country’s sluggish economy has dealt Richards Bay a hefty blow as its heavy industries struggle to stay globally competitive.

But government leaders believe with the town positioned between two World Heritage Sites (iSimangaliso Wetland Park and Maloti-Drakensberg) and various commercial developments in the pipeline, the industrial hub could again blossom if transformed into a tourist attraction.

Speaking at the annual celebration of Tourism Month held in Richards Bay on Tuesday, MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (Edtea), Michael Mabuyakhulu, as well as Tourism KZN CEO Ndabo Khoza and City of uMhlathuze Municipal Manager Dr Nhlanhla Sibeko, pinpointed tourism setbacks that need to be addressed in this area.

On the list of goals to achieve is an upgraded airport, a resort hotel, service excellence and ‘more aggressive marketing’ of the region.

Up in the air

‘We have spoken to long haul charters and they want to come to one place in SA, and that is northern KZN,’ said Khoza.

‘The problem is, we’re just not ready to accommodate a company with a portfolio of 100 000 people who are taken to destinations like the Caribbean and Thailand, simply because Richards Bay lacks a resort.

‘We need to prioritize this.’

The Richards Bay Airport, which has come under fire by community members for being substandard, would also need a good facelift.

‘We can’t separate tourism and aviation,’ said Sibeko.

‘It won’t compete with Durban, but the city needs a good airport to properly accommodate visitors.

‘This is an industrial hub and when a town is built around commodities, it is bound to run into trouble.

‘We need to add to the town’s attraction, with tourism being a top priority.’

Mabuyakhulu advised tourism and municipal leaders to continuously work with social partners.

‘We can only succeed on the basis of forming strong relationships and finding golden principles to achieve shared goals.

‘I must also emphasize there is no better solution than service excellence.

‘We must all ensure that when tourists leave here, they talk about their ‘wow’ experiences in KZN.’