KZN tourism surges as Emirates Airlines returns to Durban

Tourism in the Garden Province of KwaZulu-Natal is rebounding faster than expectations of a gradual recovery as the economy emerges from the coronavirus-imposed restrictions. Not only did some of the province’s tourism establishments record a surge in occupancy on the back of a bumper long weekend, but Emirates Airlines also announced the resumption of its flight schedule to Durban’s King Shaka International Airport from October 4.

But it’s the unexpected wave of tourists descending on the province that set pulses racing, and raising expectations of a better-than-anticipated Christmas holiday season.

According to the DEDTEA, accommodation establishments in the province’s key destination markets benefited as most visitors extended their weekend from last Thursday’s public holiday on Heritage Day.

Read also: Second, third Covid-19 spikes spell bad news for SA tourism

Feedback from product owners suggests travel-starved patrons took advantage of heavily discounted packages and hospitable weather. A surge in bookings saw occupancy levels at some hospitality establishments rocket from zero at the height of the lockdown to between 70% and 100% over the long weekend, the DEDTEA said. Particularly popular were the Drakensberg area, the coastal regions, and the hospitality offerings in Durban.

The call of the mountains resounded particularly powerful with all establishments under the banner of the Drakensberg Experience Tourism Association reporting 100% occupancy.

Read also: Santam: ‘Please look into our faces, see our pain’ – tourism boss. Business insurance scandal

“We’re ecstatic, “ said DETEA chair Belinda Spence, “ now we’re looking forward to a bumper Christmas season.”

North Coast accommodation entities also experienced a surge in occupancy of between 85% to 90% over the long weekend, according to iLembe official Nathi Nkomzwayo. In a similar vein, tourism establishments on the South Coast also reported a welcome increase in business, while Durban, on average, recorded an average rise in occupancy to around 70%, according to Federated Hospitality Association of Southern Africa (Fedhasa) operations manager Charles Preece.

The N3 Toll Concession confirmed that traffic volumes exceeding 2 000 cars per hour as inland visitors started the trek home after the weekend.

The upbeat sentiments of the KZN tourism are further supported by news that Emirates Airlines will land its first post-coronavirus flight at King Shaka International airport on Sunday, October 4 as the carrier restarts its schedules to southern Africa. The Dubai-based airline will resume services to Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Harare on October 1, and to Mauritius, on October 3.

Visited 3,828 times, 2 visit(s) today