Unlimited Opportunities to Invest in Tourism on KZN South Coast

 

Unlimited Opportunities to Invest in Tourism on KZN South Coast

 

The KZN South Coast enjoyed a bumper festive season in 2022 with Ugu District celebrating a 97% occupancy rate – the highest in the province – for the last week of the year. Throughout the season, the beaches remained safe and open for bathing, and the region continues to boast the highest number of Blue Flag beaches in the province. Alongside the coastal attractions, the Paradise of the Zulu Kingdom is also home to world-renowned dive sites, extensive trails, nature reserves, golf courses, and adventure sports – offering unlimited opportunities when it comes to tourism investment.

 

“As the official economic development arm of the region, South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise [SCTIE] is working with key stakeholders, businesses, and local communities to unlock the investment potential that abounds in our tourism sector,” explained Phelisa Mangcu, CEO of SCTIE. “Through these partnerships, we’re improving the business climate by facilitating interventions and identifying unique investment opportunities. Some prime examples of this are KwaXolo Caves and the Umzumbe River Trail, two high-value tourism products that are identified for development with the intention of bringing in keen investors looking for a sound return on investment.”

 

Combining cultural and adventure tourism, the 71km Umzumbe River Trail has been developed as a joint venture between SCTIE and the KZN Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA). Drawing on the international interest in such nature trails, it’s anticipated that Umzumbe River Trail will become a major tourism asset as eco-tourism demand increases.

 

This week-long hiking adventure is led by local tour guides who have received Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport Sector Education and Training Authority (CATHSSETA)-accredited qualifications, allowing them to better facilitate these nature walks and overnight homestays. SCTIE is currently identifying a development site for a lodge, with a feasibility study in the works to further identify investment potential.

 

Further to this, the EDTEA has committed to investing a grant of R6,150 million to the existing KwaXolo Caves, another of the region’s key cultural, adventure and eco-tourism attractions. The site, identified by Ray Nkonyeni Municipality, has the potential to attract upmarket visitors from the iconic tourism node consisting of Margate, Southbroom and Port Edward within a 15km radius. This is an established tourism product that provides visitors with a unique hike – using the Via Ferrata system – into these caves which are adorned with centuries-old San artwork. This provides an authentic cultural experience that so many tourists desire.

 

The funding will allow for further, phased-in development, including the establishment of a restaurant and kitchen, coffee shop, amphitheatre, ablution facilities and storeroom, picnic area, children’s play area, and fencing for enhanced safety. Opportunities for construction using natural, locally found materials are being explored, as is the implementation of renewable energy supply. For extreme sports enthusiasts, construction has already begun on the three-point zipline, as well as a High Wire Bridge and a decking walkway to connect to the zipline.

 

“This development presents several investment prospects whether you’re looking to explore the immense small business opportunities,” continued Mangcu. “Those in the hospitality sector can invest in restaurants or food stalls, while outdoor activities in the form of horse riding and bungee jumping are also possible. The site will require security and the hiring of equipment, among many other opportunities.”

 

SCTIE has partnered with Trade and Investment KwaZulu-Natal (TIKZN) to establish a One Stop Shop office on the KZN South Coast. This aims to improve the efficiency of doing business, ensuring investors have access to municipal incentives in the district, such as those being offered through the Ray Nkonyeni Local Municipality (RNM).

 

Extending from Port Shepstone, the area’s economic hub, throughout the KZN South Coast, there are so many investment opportunities. To find out more about these #unlimitedopportunities, get in touch with SCTIE, the KZN South Coast’s One-Stop Shop for investment. Contact SCTIE on 039 682 7944, email info@sctie.co.za or visit www.investkznsouthcoast.co.za.

 

Keep updated on Facebook; South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise on YouTube; @infosouthcoast on Twitter or Instagram; and Info Ugu South Coast Tourism on LinkedIn. Follow #unlimitedopportunities #investkznsouthcoast #investment and #kznsouthcoast! And click here to check out previous SCTIE press releases.

 

/ENDS

 

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KwaXolo Caves.

KwaXolo Caves.

Umzumbe River Trail.

Umzumbe River Trail.

Umzumbe River Trail.

 

About KZN South Coast

Known as the ‘Paradise of the Zulu Kingdom, the KZN South Coast stretches 120 kilometres from Scottburgh to Port Edward and inland to Harding. Here, the spirit of adventure can be discovered among the many cultural experiences, as well as the 35 nature trails and 58 beaches, ideal for activities like river rafting, abseiling, suspension bridges, paintball, surfing, SUP, canoeing, beach horse rides, shark cage diving and free diving. Nicknamed ‘The Golf Coast’, there are 11 golf courses on the KZN South Coast ranging in difficulty, with endless hiking, mountain biking and 4×4 trails for more rugged excursions. Promoting sustainability, the KZN South Coast has a growing agri-tourism sector that offers world-class produce and hosts tours and excursions. The region boasts a number of permanently managed Blue Flag beaches and is home to some of the world’s top diving sites, Aliwal Shoal and Protea Banks. The originality continues with the annual Sardine Run, coined the #GreatestShoalonEarth, which is the largest biomass migration on earth and a marvel to witness. The region’s many nature reserves are inhabited by indigenous bird and wildlife, and it holds the title of ‘smallest desert on earth’, The Red Desert in Port Edward. The KZN South Coast is a fast-emerging MICE destination which also plays host to several high-profile events including The Bike Fest, Uvukile Gospel Festival, Ugu Jazz, Ugu Film Festival and the South Coast Fever MTB & Trail Run Series.

 

Disclaimer

While SCTIE takes reasonable measures to ensure that the contents of this document are accurate and complete, SCTIE makes no representations or warranties, whether express or implied. All information provided in this document is provided ‘as is’ without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, completeness, or non-infringement, as may be allowed in law. SCTIE does not accept any responsibility for any errors or omissions in this document, provided by third-party contributors.

 

Issued on behalf of:

South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise (SCTIE)

Disseminated by:
Olivia Jones Communications

 

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