The North Coast tourism industry is crying out for an organisation that will do more to market their businesses and the region.
While the Ilembe Chamber of Commerce has formed a working committe with KwaDukuza municipality (KDM) to set up a new tourism body in the area, players in the industry want tourism to be given a higher priority than at present.
Following the Courier article “Dolphin Coast is losing tourists‘ on June 13, KDM executive director of economic development and planning, Sikhumbuso Hlongwane spelled out KDM’s endeavours to set up a new Community Tourism Organisation (CTO) in a letter published last week. He disputed claims that the North Coast is falling behind Durban and Umhlanga as a top tourist destinations in the province. Since the demise of the old Dolphin Coast Publicity Association, he said the KDM has been supporting the tourism industry by itself.
“The municipality has continued to facilitate and support the high season (April and December) beach festivals and year end events such as the Matric Rage and New Year street party. In addition, the municipality has introduced two major tourism events in previously low season periods, these being the Mr Price Pro Ballito international surfing event and the Ballito Street Heroes event.
“The municipality has invested approximately R14 million toward this event in the last five years,” he added.
Following KDM’s entry into the public forum, the Courier spoke to a number of owners of bed and breakfast establishments in the area to find out their thoughts on the importance of a tourism body.
Leon Groenvald, who owns Ocean Gorge B&B in Chakas Rock, believes that many businesses want to see the area better looked after but “no one is willing to pay extra.”
“I am sure we will benefit from a tourism organisation as a lot of work needs to be done in the area. The pavements in Chakas Rock are shocking, the toilets at the beach are in disrepair. The only thing that will help is monitoring and policing – making the area more tourist friendly. People do not feel safe to walk around, there is too much crime,” he said.
In terms of being represented by a CTO, Groenvald is optimistic about the project. “I would be happy to join, but I know in the past we have spoken about these things and they tend to fall on deaf ears.”
