KZN EXPECTS OVER ONE MILLION VISITORS AND R13-BN BOOST THIS FESTIVE SEASON

KWAZULU-NATAL is preparing to host its most significant summer tourism season since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, with provincial forecasts predicting between one million and 1.

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1 million domestic trips and 34 000 international arrivals in December alone.This upswing is expected to generate R13 billion in tourism-related spend, including a direct contribution of R1.3bn to GDP and an estimated R3.8bn in total economic impact.

“This year, the numbers are compelling,” said Reverend Musa Zondi, KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA).

“Between January and May, Durban alone recorded over 2.8 million domestic trips and 186 000 international visitors, injecting more than R5bn into the local economy. We are now expecting over 1.3 million visitors in Durban this festive season — and even more across uMhlathuze, iLembe, uMgungundlovu, Harry Gwala and the South Coast.”

The province's summer tourism launch was celebrated at La Clef Boutique Hotel in the Midlands, with a strong turnout of tourism industry stakeholders, media, district champions, influencers and government leaders.

Record-breaking visitor surge expected

KwaZulu-Natal’s strong positioning this season reflects national recovery patterns. According to MEC Zondi, South Africa recorded 8.92 million international tourist arrivals in 2024 -—a 5.1% rise from the previous year. “And in the second quarter of 2025 alone, arrivals surged by 15.6%, with much of that growth coming from SADC neighbours,” Zondi said.