uMhlanga basks in booming tourism glory

TOURISM was booming in uMhlanga this festive season, this according to Peter Rose, chairman of Umhlanga Tourism.

“Over the last 10 years tourism in uMhlanga has grown significantly. With development we have seen an increase from three hotels in the uMhlanga village to 12 large hotels and many new apartment developments stretching along the entire uMhlanga coastal region, and business is only going to get bigger and bigger,” he said.

Rose said the beaches, restaurants, hotels and shopping centres were ‘jam packed’ with visitors this season. He added that he was once again astonished that many holidaymakers had left their accommodation requirements to the last minute. This proved very challenging for the tourism office to assist with finding last minute accommodation, he said.

“uMhlanga has grown more and more popular. The weather has been good, the beaches have been crowded and there have been very few negative issues on our beaches,” he said.

The benefit of increased tourism into this region, he said, not only involved a boost in the economy, but also job creation and an increase in property values.

“We have become part of a global village. uMhlanga has become a firm favourite among the rich and famous. Our town is alive and busy, and yet it has also remained safe, clean and green,” he said proudly.

According to Rose, the uMhlanga beaches have also been some of the most multi-cultural and multi-racial beaches in Durban.”We saw people from all over the country, including eMdloti, Bloemfontein, Polokwane and Johannesburg,” he said.

The Miss Umhlanga Beach Pageant saw a record number of entrants, said Rose.

Dewet Geldenuys of the uMhlanga UIP echoed Rose’s sentiments saying, ” It has been a bumper of a season, with lovely weather and good crowds”. Geldenuys also reported a decline in incidents on the beaches.

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