Tourists spent an estimated R2,5-billion in KwaZulu-Natal during the festive season, while more than 1,4-million foreign tourists visited the province during 2007, the province’s arts, culture and tourism minister, Weziwe Thusi, said on Tuesday.
Thusi, speaking at a press briefing in Durban, said that while figures for the past festive season have not yet been finalised, she believes that ”in all likelihood” the R2,5-billion is an increase over the previous year.
Tourists spent an estimated R1,4-billion during last year’s Easter holiday season.
She said that preliminary figures indicate that 1,435-million foreign tourists visited the province during 2007 and that there were 11,9-million domestic trips into the province during the same period.
She said that during the year, hotels in the province reported an average occupancy rate of 71,3%, which was almost the same as during 2006.
”Our research indicates a new trend where visitors are opting for more independent accommodation establishments such as self-catering, bed and breakfasts, smaller hotels, camping and caravan sites,” she said.
These smaller establishments have reported increased occupancy rates, sometimes up to 90%.
Tourism KwaZulu-Natal (TKZN) chief executive Ndabo Khoza said that when TKZN promotes the province abroad, it does not hide problems of criminality. ”We don’t hide the fact that we have a problem, but we do inform them [overseas tour operators] what we are doing to tackle the problem,” he said.
Both he and Thusi said that the number of foreign tourists reported to have been affected by crime in the past year appears to have declined, and they welcomed police efforts.
The province is beginning to promote actively the new King Shaka International Airport being built north of Durban, which is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
He said that there are airlines that are interested in operating out of Durban, although he would not disclose which airlines.
Asked about plans to improve public transport that could be used by tourists, especially those arriving for the 2010 World Cup, he said that he is aware of plans by the transport department to upgrade and improve road infrastructure. — Sapa