Unlocking the tourism potential of KZN's south coast

WITH a wealth of natural assets, tourism remains a mainstay of the KZN South Coast economy, but local authorities believe there is still much potential in the region to be explored.

The area is home to Blue Flag beaches, world-class dive sites, nature reserves and gorges, all contributing to make it a prime holiday destination.

However, the South Coast Tourism & Investment Enterprise (SCTIE) believes massive potential still remains within its tourism economy, and is investigating ways this can be unlocked.

The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) estimates that tourism contributes 8.8% to GDP, supporting 1.68 million jobs around the country. SCTIE CEO Dr Vusumuzi Sibiya said the hospitality sector remains a key growth area, with investors and the local economy set to benefit.

“The KZN South Coast has a range of natural assets that make it a key tourism destination, and we are constantly seeking ways to increase investment in this sector,” he said.

“We’re home to a number of world-class tourism establishments that can offer insight into how best to grow the tourism economy. One such example is the local hospitality group, ANEW Hotels & Resorts, owners of the ANEW Resort Ingeli Forest in Harding. They’ve offered their input on key ways to further stimulate this sector.”

Corné Alberts, Group Marketing Manager at ANEW Hotels & Resorts, said South Africa was impressive from a tourism perspective, offering visitors unmatched natural beauty, top-class retail and hospitality options, and a unique experience, all at a comparatively affordable rate.

"We see regions like the KZN South Coast as brimming with possibility; it’s simply a matter of better positioning these areas to attract investment and grow the tourism economy.”

4 Impactful Ways to Attract Investment

Alberts says they’ve studied international examples and noted some of the best ways to effectively grow tourism investment in a sustainable manner.

1.       Infrastructure reinvestment

“Expanding tourism growth into rural areas, such as the KZN South Coast’s hinterland, is vital for creating a more inclusive tourism economy that not only benefits local communities, but gives visitors a more authentic, comprehensive local experience,” she said.

“This requires reinvestment in local infrastructure and tourism services in these underdeveloped regions. Unreliable transport systems and poor road maintenance continue to hinder tourism growth, as seen in rural areas nationwide.”

      2.      Driving sustainable tourism

Focusing on sustainable tourism – an internationally growing trend – is the best way to attract investment: “This can be supporting eco-friendly initiatives, cultural heritage programmes, and skills development to maximise job creation and ensure long-term benefits for local communities.”

On the KZN South Coast this has worked well on the South Coast Tourism & Investment Enterprise’s (SCTIE) initiatives, among them:

•         The KwaNdwalane Adventure Experience | KwaNzimakwe Experience
•         Weza Hiking Trail | Umzumbe River Trails
•         KwaXolo Caves Adventures | NPS Adventures
•         The Mission Tourism Route | The Agri Tourism Route
•         The Gamalakhe Township Experience | Ntelezi Msani Heritage Centre3.      Collaborative efforts

Another key area to build the tourism economy is the establishment of public-private partnerships, such as the Tidy Towns initiatives that are cleaning up, maintaining, and protecting the KZN South Coast’s assets by aligning government and private investor efforts. Likewise, the work being done by SCTIE to upskill and connect local suppliers to willing buyers, building the local supply chain.

“From ANEW Hotels & Resorts’ side, we focus on featuring local products, such as our own house wines made in collaboration with Van Loveren,” explains Alberts. “This initiative supports regional businesses while offering travellers an authentic taste of the area.”

     4.       Targeting emerging markets

Alberts says South Africa needs to remain competitive against destinations like Kenya and Morocco, by enhancing its tourism marketing strategy: “Increased funding for marketing can attract high-value travellers from emerging markets such as China, India, and the Middle East.”

Dr Sibiya, agreed, adding: “Through SCTIE’s many initiatives, we’re strengthening regional travel, encouraging infrastructure development, and facilitating strategic investment to further solidify KZN South Coast as a leading domestic travel destination.”