Whatshot
KZN North Coast tourism shows steady growth - even amid weak economy
KZN North Coast tourism shows steady growth - even amid weak economy
Tourism to the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast has increased by 9% over the past three years and contributed in excess of R3 billion to the gross domestic product (GDP) of iLembe District Municipality for the period March 2017 to February 2018.
The North Coast area stretches from Zimbali - KwaDukuza in the south to Amatikulu - Mandeni in the north, extending inland to Ndwedwe and Maphumulo.
According to the study, the North Coast attracted more than 800 000 visitors between March 2017 and February 2018. Of these, domestic overnight tourists accounted for 62,8% of total visitors, while foreign overnight tourists comprised 6,5% of total visitors. Approximately 30,6% were day visitors.
These visitors spent R1.95 billion in the municipal region between March 2017 and February 2018.
Approximately 8% of these opportunities were in highly-skilled occupations, while 36% were in skilled occupations. Unskilled and informal occupations comprised 22% and 34% of the opportunities respectively.
The region's top markets for foreign overnight visitors are the USA, Australia, the UK, and Germany.
The municipality saw the addition of the Ballito Junction regional mall and the revamp to the Lifestyle Centre, which served to attract especially local visitors from other regions in KZN to the area.
Tourism has been identified at national level as an area with potential to grow the economy. It has served as a welcome buffer to the otherwise weak economy.