The hospitality industry in KwaZulu-Natal says it is ready to welcome tourists for an expected bumper Easter holiday season. This follows the devastating losses suffered by tourist establishments in December last year because of beach closures due to high E-Coli levels.
Tourism authorities say visitors will be spoilt for choice when it comes to activities for the holiday. Scores of visitors are expected to make their way to Durban for the Easter weekend.
Tourism KZN says preliminary hospitality bookings show that about half a million local visitors and 50 000 international visitors are expected to visit the province.
The hospitality industry took a knock during the festive because of the fluctuating levels of E-Coli at the Durban beaches. This was caused by damaged sewer infrastructure during the April floods last year.
Establishments along the coast say business is picking up and is looking better compared to the past festive season.
GM Radisson Blu’s Marius Earle says, “We had a lot of cancellations over the December and the January period. Not just cancellations before people started travelling but also cancellations whilst they were already in the hotel. I think the fact that the beaches were closed then they were open again we lost a lot of consumer confidence.”
Ntombimpela Majozi of Nto’s Boutique Hotel in La Lucia, north of Durban, was among those who suffered cancellations in December. She says while recovery has been slow, business is moving in the right direction.
“We had a lot of bookings in December but some people decided to cancel they were saying their main aim of coming to Durban is to go to the beach so due to E.coli they couldn’t come some decided to postpone and some decided to cancel completely if we make a comparison from December until now we see a huge difference people are making their bookings in fact we are fully booked until July.”
Chairperson of the Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa in the Eastern region Brett Tungay says hotel bookings are looking positive.
“Occupancy figures for KZN are looking absolutely fantastic for the Easter long weekend at the moment most establishments over 75% with the many reporting up to 100% occupancy a good rush is expected for Friday with only weekend been busy all the way through to Monday at the stage, KZN is ready to welcome the tourist beaches all open establishments already and will see everybody over the weekend.”
FEDHASA says hotel bookings are above 70% and hoteliers are expecting that more visitors are to turn up at the last minute.
FEDHASA Chairman Brett Tungay says, “At the moment occupancy levels are reported to be over 75% throughout the province and a lot of places are reporting a 100% occupancy which is fantastic durban is geared up for a great weekend the beaches are all open and we’re welcoming tourists back into KZN.”
These tourists from Zimbabwe are impressed with Durban’s beaches and other attractions.
“It’s the first time I’m visiting Durban and I can see Durban is the best. We’ll always keep coming to Durban,” says one visitor.
“I feel born again as it’s Easter. So everything is beautiful as this is also my first time coming here and i’d like to come here every holiday,” expresses another visitor from Zimbabwe.
Tourist bodies expect a much-needed boost to the local economy, as tourist spending is anticipated to be more than R700 million. -Additinal reporting by Nonhlakanipho Magwaza
