KZN tourist numbers exceeded expectations, says tourism body
KwaZulu-Natal is
beaming after tourist numbers over the festive season beat expectations.
Tourism KZN says thanks to the influx of local and international holidaymakers the province received a boost of close to R2.4 billion.
The entity's Pinky Radebe says according to preliminary figures, the occupancy rate at hotels and other establishments soared to an average of 81% across the province between Boxing Day and 1 January.
She says, due to the closure of some beaches in Durban, visitors took the time to enjoy other experiences.
Radebe says 90% of those who visited the province’s shores came from other parts of the country.
They also saw a jump in international tour group bookings for KZN's big five safaris.
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"There was a sharp increase in the hotel occupancy in the week from Christmas to New Year, particularly in the northern and southern districts. This suggests that our message hit home, the south coast, mainly the Ugu District, mainly 97 percent occupancy against 74% occupancy in 2019.
“Ballito, which is in the iLembe region, had 89% against 2019's 79%.”
Radebe says it looks like the reopening of Durban's popular beaches encouraged some last-minute bookings in December.
"Which reached 77% occupancy from Christmas to New Year after starting the festive season at 49%. It also beats its 2019 peak of 71% for a similar period that year."
