Festive season is KZN South Coast’s time to shine as top tourism and investment destination
The Paradise of the Zulu Kingdom has long been a summer season hotspot and, with the beaches safe for bathing, 2022 is set to be a bumper festive season.
This provides local residents and businesses with a prime opportunity to showcase the incredible investment opportunities that abound on the KZN South Coast.
“The tourism economy is the backbone of the region, and we believe this is a great drawcard to attract people and show them our incredible investment opportunities,” explained Phelisa Mangcu, CEO of South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise (SCTIE), the official economic development arm of the KZN South Coast. “The reality is that establishing the KZN South Coast as an attractive investment destination can only happen through a collaborative effort. SCTIE is calling on all local residents, businesses and stakeholders to welcome our tourists and use this time to really show what we have to offer.”
Mangcu said that partnerships like Tidy Towns are indicative of what can be achieved when organisations and communities work together for a common goal: “This is a community project whereby a group of committed individuals are actively cleaning and promoting key destinations along the KZN South Coast. We applaud the work being done by Tidy Towns and will continue to support such positive initiatives.”
In terms of tourism attractions, the KZN South Coast has been making the headlines for all the right reasons. Just recently, it was announced that the region has retained the Blue Flag status at six of its beaches – making this the highest number in the province – with a further five attaining pilot status. This is a massive boost considering the attraction of this region as a seaside holiday destination, particularly against the backdrop of concerns around water quality in KZN.
But the focus is not solely on the seaside, as the KZN South Coast boasts a wealth of hinterland excursions which are being developed in line with the national call for rural inclusivity in the tourism economy. Just this year, SCTIE has launched two hiking trails - Umzumbe River Trail and Weza Hiking Trail – both providing a unique experience in the rural hinterland while expanding the economic footprint.
These and other established tourism offerings are a great platform to extend investment growth in the area, through the ocean economy, manufacturing, retail, real estate, logistics and more. These various sectors are set to be unlocked through SCTIE and relationships being established with local ambassadors of the KZN South Coast.
The recent R11-million refurbishment of the Margate Airport will further facilitate investment in the area. The upgrade, which was undertaken in partnership with Ray Nkonyeni Municipality, the Department of Economic Development Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA), and the private sector, provides the area with a modern airport to encourage the free flow of travel.
“If we’re going to make the KZN South Coast the investment destination it truly deserves to be, we need to offer all festive season visitors a warm welcome and take this opportunity to showcase the possibilities that abound here,” continued Mangcu. “Every visitor is a potential investor, so let’s show that we are Summer Ready and make this a positive experience to remember.”
Extending from Port Shepstone, the area’s economic hub, throughout the KZN South Coast, there are so many investment opportunities.
