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KwaZulu-Natal remains number one

KwaZulu-Natal remains number one

Date: 2014-03-28
KwaZulu-Natal remains the number one tourism destination for local travellers, attracting more than one third of the domestic tourism market. This amounted to a 10% increase on last year, according to Tourism KwaZulu-Natal CEO, Ndabo Khoza.

Speaking at an industry briefing, Khoza went on to explain that the province also enjoyed increased hotel occupancies, which were well above the national average, according to a recent STR Global study.

"Tourism was significantly affected by the economic slowdown, but these latest numbers show that people are once again travelling and enjoying holidays. In addition to our dominance in the domestic market, it was very pleasing to see strong increases in the number of direct foreign air arrivals, which saw an eight percent growth according to Forward Keys."

Khoza said that recent investments by the private sector further enhanced the province's appeal, "There is over R500-million being reinvested into tourism products, for the upgrading and extending of existing facilities, as well as the building of brand new facilities. Such significant investments are not done lightly and reaffirm the position that KwaZulu-Natal is a growth market for tourism.

"However, we still have a vast untapped domestic market in South Africa, with millions of people yet to experience the pleasure of a holiday, let alone explore the country or see the sea for the first time. In the past, many people did not view themselves as potential tourists, or believed that holidays were for someone else and were unaffordable.

"Therefore a key focus of ours will be on changing these perceptions and creating new domestic tourists to visit the province, by making travel accessible and affordable," said Khoza.

Globally, over one billion people are now travelling internationally. However, it is said that two thirds of the world's population is not yet travelling and a key focus for the province will be on entering these new markets.
"The emerging economies, such as the BRIC countries and of course our own continent, are a key growth area for us," said Khoza.

"Through the recent introduction of direct flights from Zimbabwe and Zambia to Durban, we have seen an increase in the number of visitors from these regions." said Khoza.

Khoza went on to explain that the traditional markets of the UK, USA and Germany remained strong and have seen marginal growth. The key for these markets is retention and sustainability.