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How tourism SMMEs can make big bucks this Dezemba

The Mercury

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December 11, 2025

THE Dezemba holiday rush is about to kick into high gear!

For tourism businesses, this isn’t just a busy period; it’s a golden opportunity. KwaZulu-Natal, for example, is expecting to welcome over two million visitors, generating an estimated R13 billion in economic activity.As a Small, Medium, or Micro Enterprise (SMME), you are the backbone of South Africa's tourism sector. You're the guesthouse owner with the amazing breakfast, the tour guide with the best stories, and the artisan with the unique crafts that bring visitors back year after year. So, how do you make sure your business isn’t just surviving the rush, but truly thriving? Siya Mthethwa, Chief Strategy Officer at South African Tourism and Acting Chief Convention Bureau Officer, shares four practical tips to help you capture this growth.

Your online profile is your digital front door

Think about it, where does a modern holiday begin? Not in a travel agency, but on a screen. Today’s traveller starts their journey with a search, and increasingly, they're using AI tools like ChatGPT to plan their trips.

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