KZN celebrates global tourism

THE KZN Tourism and Film Authority on Friday commemorated the global anniversary of World Tourism Day as it continues its all-out drive to promote the province.

September 27 was established by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) under the theme ‘Tourism and Peace’, celebrated around the world.

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KZN Tourism and Film Authority interim CEO Sibusiso Gumbi said Tourism Month aims to encourage the culture of travel among South Africans, and this year the entity has focused its attention on the Zululand region, themed ‘Tourism and Peace: 30 years of connecting people, places and cultures’.

“On this special day, we will reflect on the profound connection between tourism and peace. Sustainable tourism can transform communities, creating jobs, fostering inclusion and connecting local economies that ultimately bring about peace,’’ said Gumbi.

“September is particularly significant for us as we celebrate tourism and heritage. This presents a double opportunity to vigorously market and create more brand awareness for KZN, promote domestic travel, and encourage visitors to experience the uniqueness of our diverse array of cultural and heritage offerings,” Gumbi added.

According to the KZN Tourism and Film Authority, there have been encouraging visitor statistics to the province over the last few months, giving rise to an increased sense of optimism in the industry.

The number of domestic tourists to KZN increased from 969 765 in the first quarter of 2023 to 1 181 173 in the same quarter this year.
In Q1 of 2023, KZN recorded 98 207 arrivals from Africa and in the same period this year, there were 112 698. Records show that the most visitors came from Eswatini.

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