Advertising Update
Our investment messaging was further shared through our dedicated advertising campaign centred on the #unlimitedopportunities for investment. This quarter, our advertising material included and will be seen in the coming month: Inflight Magazine – Ocean economy advert Premier Magazine – Manufacturing advert Street Pole Adverts in Joburg;s financial sectors advertising property, agriculture and the economy National Radio Advert (SAFM) on the #unlimited investment opportunities in real estate, manufacturing, and agribusiness while highlighting the #buylocal campaign
Website and Digital Update
Social Media Our social media platforms are currently shared between tourism and investment. To drive investment engagement, we share continuous investment updates, specifically around the Buy Local digital presence. All updates on the tourism destination website consequently feed through to the investment website. The new update to the database also allowed us to increase our reach to relevant businesses that fuel the Buy Local campaign. This particular section also references members who have supported the Buy Local membership, to access the membership benefits. Information can also be found by visiting South Coast Tourism on Facebook; South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise on YouTube; @infosouthcoast on Twitter or @infosouthcoast on Instagram; South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise on LinkedIn. Website We have continued to maintain a 100% uptime across our websites with user-friendly access to information. We have updated relevant information such as the board members, investment opportunities, and other relevant content to increase potential investors and unearth investment opportunities. The backend of the www.investkznsouthcoast.co.za and www.sctie.co.za websites are continuously updated through software, plug-ins, and other technical features. New investment press releases were loaded onto the website for international access to local information. These links were further marketed through other digital platforms to increase the exposure of investment opportunities and to create awareness around our constantly updated archives. Explore the KZN South Coast app The destination website and app share one Content Management System (CMS), allowing us to cost-effectively update information across the app on a daily and weekly basis. In this quarter, we completed the long-term solutions for the app with changes to the map functionality in the navigation bar, improving the usability and responsiveness of the map functionality. The GPS pins which were static became interactive or clickable, while the ‘show info’ and image of location have enhanced the user experience. The updated version is now available on Google Play and Apple App Store. These changes are essential for marketing operator listings that appear on this easy-to-use platform, which has interactive contact details and other information relevant to travellers on the go. The aim was to improve user engagement for increased user retention, positive user feedback, higher conversion rates, and to create a competitive advantage for the KZN South Coast and its operators. Database We updated our internal, POPI Act-compliant database for tourism and investment, and have been growing it to include other sectors and community heads who will benefit. In this quarter, our communication focus has been digital links and resources to our Buy Local campaign and communication about digital assets, tourism and investment filming opportunities for members to participate in promotional videos, and requests for social media promotional material and blogs. We aim to provide information in real-time where possible, to promote tourism and investment, attract visitors and investors, support local businesses, and improve the overall economic and social well-being of the community.
Public Relations Update
Through our public relations campaign, we are proactively managing the image and reputation of the KZN South Coast by closely monitoring the media, issuing positive news to traditional media, and responding to crisis PR situations as soon as they arise. The investment awareness and #buylocal campaigns have allowed us to create a unified image that promotes investment and creates an environment for job creation. Our press releases and interviews have continued to highlight the region’s competitiveness and attractiveness to domestic and international audiences. Press releases issued 7 March to 12 May 2023 Massive potential for growth within the KZN South Coast’s agricultural sector (10 March 2023) KZN South Coast’s manufacturing sector holds unlimited opportunities for investment (13 March 2023) Buy Local membership is now open to KZN South Coast businesses (14 April 2023) President acknowledges Renishaw Hills and Serenity Hills for investment contribution to national economy (14 April 2023) There was a total of 93 coverage clippings with an advertising value equivalent (AVE) figure of R1 965 243 measured by media monitoring agency Newsclip. This includes: Print coverage valued at R653 088 Broadcast coverage valued at R4 224 Online media coverage valued at R1 307 931
Marketing Update
Unlimited Opportunities Campaign This quarter, we continued to uncover the #unlimitedopportunities for investment found in the KZN South Coast across our key growth sectors. The KZN South Coast’s natural resources, subtropical climate, and access to national hubs have positioned it as a key #investment destination. We promoted the region’s agribusiness potential, as well as the many manufacturing and trade opportunities, with our maritime sector poised for development. We have extended our online presence with the following hashtags. Please follow for more through #investment #unlimitedopportunities #investkznsouthcoast #investment #kznsouthcoast. Buy Local Campaign Since the launch of our #buylocal campaign last quarter, we have welcomed several new local businesses as members. The benefits for businesses include significant marketing exposure, business support, networking, and member credibility, but there are also far-reaching socio-economic benefits for those supporting local businesses. Buying directly from our local farmers, craftsman, and manufacturers have positive impacts on society, the environment, and even health, while ensuring our economy remains resilient and self-sufficient. We are encouraging our SCTIE members to sign up, free of charge until 30 June 2025, for the Buy Local membership. Criteria for membership include: At least 50% of the cost of production or services must be incurred with the KZN South Coast, The product or service must meet high-quality standards, The business must create or intend to create employment opportunities for people on the KZN South Coast. To find out more or sign up as a Buy Local member, simply click this link, use our online enquiry or contact Londiwe@sctie.co.za or 039 6827944. Trade Exhibitions and Engagements Our massive investment potential is often best marketed in person, which is why SCTIE is making the KZN South Coast known through key trade shows and exhibitions. Through these, we not only engage in vital networking, but can identify trends working in other potential investment areas. World Travel Market (WTM) Africa 2023 We enjoyed the opportunity to exhibit alongside the world’s best travel brands at the WTM Africa held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) from 3 to 5 April 2023. The event welcomed 5 000 registrations, and around 600 exhibitors from 49 countries, with 200 expert speakers and more than 80 hours of content sessions. This was the ideal platform to market the KZN South Coast as a destination with #unlimitedinvestment opportunities extending into real estate, the ocean economy, agribusiness, logistics, manufacturing, and mining sectors. It was interesting to note that real estate emerged as our most notable investment opportunity. We were pleased to achieve our goals of participating in the event, which included: Meeting with local and international investors in search of investment opportunities, Exploring potential new business partnerships, Building relationships with local and international markets, and Increasing our brand awareness. Renishaw Coastal Precinct To get a better understanding of the large-scale Renishaw Coastal Precinct (RCP) development and the investment opportunities on offer, a meeting was arranged between SCTIE and developers on 18 April. In addition to getting a better understanding of the development, SCTIE extended assistance to some challenges that were outlined, including red-tape barriers to certain development processes, as well as the inclusion into the Eastern Seaboard Development. We were grateful for the RCP developers’ willingness of Renishaw to work with SCTIE in sharing nodes that could be considered for packaging to attract investment. Investment Activation Our upcoming investment activation will be held at Shelly Beach Centre during the June/July school holidays. This will target potential investors holidaying on the KZN South Coast. These include domestic or international visitors. Business Seminar We were able to build relationships with investors, international operators, and stakeholders when we attended the ‘Doing business between KwaZulu-Natal and Switzerland’ seminar at the Onomo Hotel in Durban this May. The seminar, hosted by Trade & Investment KwaZulu-Natal (TIKZN) in partnership with the Embassy of Switzerland aimed to explore trade and investment opportunities between South Africa and Inkunzi yaChocolate – the local name for the Swiss delegation. Switzerland has an existing footprint in the province, supporting the Vuthela Support Programme. This initiative addresses unemployment, poverty, and inequality by accelerating inclusive local economic development and growth in line with the National Development Plan. Sectors of focus included infrastructure, manufacturing, and services, with discussions around an exchange on investment strategies, attracting investment, best practices, and promoting trade and investment opportunities between KZN and Switzerland. This was a great opportunity to strengthen trade relations, and share valuable information on our growth sectors and market opportunities for exporters and internationally-focused businesses.