KZN tourism resurgence launched
Members of the Abafana bobumbano Luka-Cothoza entertaining guests at the launch of Tourism month on Thursday.
Image: Supplied
KwaZulu-Natal’s (KZN) Tourism Month celebrations kicked off on Thursday with a launch event in KwaDlangezwa, highlighting the province’s post-pandemic tourism resurgence and a commitment to inclusive, sustainable development.
KZN MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs Reverend Musa Zondi, speaking under the global theme “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation,” declared that KZN was not simply recovering but “rising stronger than ever”.
He noted a robust rebound in visitor numbers – including a 13.5% rise in arrivals this year – as “living proof that KZN is not merely recovering but accelerating”, with each new tourist bringing “income for families, opportunity for entrepreneurs, and renewed hope for communities” .
Zondi stressed that the growth must be inclusive and transformative, urging that tourism must not be confined to cities but belong to every community, uplifting township and rural businesses, empowering women and youth, and investing in resilience for the future .
He also showcased new initiatives targeting northern Zululand’s potential as a rural tourism driver, from a planned Port Durnford Beach development to a King Cetshwayo Heritage Route that puts local communities at the heart of visitor experiences .
Major investments have reinforced confidence across the province: Southern Sun has injected R1 billion to refurbish Durban’s beachfront hotels, and a 153-hectare waterfront and conference precinct was on the horizon for Richards Bay. .
“Confidence is the clearest currency in tourism and right now, investors are voting for KZN,” Zondi said, noting that growth was spread province-wide, “from the South Coast to Zululand, from the Midlands to the Drakensberg.”
Dr. Joel Sibusiso Ndebele, Chairperson of the KZN Tourism and Film Authority Board, used the launch to put the Tourism Month successes into context.
In the first quarter of 2025, KZN welcomed 194,000 international tourists (contributing R1.5 billion in foreign spend) and 1.9 million domestic trips (generating R6.1 billion). Ndebele noted that an impressive 78% of KZN’s travel is by locals exploring their own province, the highest intra-provincial tourism rate in the country .
This means that nearly four out of five trips in KZN was “home-grown” tourism, with residents from eThekwini to uMfolozi discovering the beauty in their own backyard.
“Tourism remains one of the most powerful forces for growth and transformation in our economy,” said Ndebele.
He introduced board members as “District Champions”, assigned to each of the 11 districts in the province to strengthen local partnerships and align community initiatives with the provincial strategy.
“This is the story of a province where every district matters,” he said. "Each district is contributing to the bigger picture: Ugu’s golden beaches are bustling with holidaymakers, Umkhanyakude’s iSimangaliso Wetland Park anchors eco-tourism, Zululand and Umzinyathi draw heritage enthusiasts to cultural festivals, uThukela offers Drakensberg adventures, and Durban/eThekwini continues to shine as an events and leisure hub.
"By harnessing these diverse strengths under one cohesive vision, KZN is ensuring that tourism growth is “cohesive, inclusive, and transformative – reaching every corner of KwaZulu-Natal,” he said.