PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Attention
09 March 2023

 

Inclusive tourism in the spotlight as stakeholders meet on KZN South Coast for Imbizo

Growing tourism’s economic footprint in the hinterland region remains a priority for national, provincial, and regional tourism bodies. In an effort to find meaningful ways to create a more inclusive tourism economy, the Department of Tourism hosted an Imbizo at Port Shepstone’s Ugu Sports & Leisure Centre on Thursday, 2 March.

Themed Leave No-One Behind, this post-SoNA (State of the Nation Address) engagement brought stakeholders and communities together to encourage active citizen participation in government-led programmes. The highly successful Imbizo sought innovative ways to advance rural and community-centric tourism in the sector.

The Imbizo was attended by the Department of Tourism’s Deputy Minister of Tourism Fish Mahlalela; Ray Nkonyeni Municipality Chief Whip TT Hlophe; Ugu Deputy Mayor, VM Chiya; Chief Director of Tourism Development from EDTEA, Nhlakanipho Mkontwana; alongside representatives from South Coast Tourism & Investment Enterprise (SCTIE) and several other public officials, businesses, media, and community members.

“This was a very productive Imbizo where challenges within the industry were laid out and solutions suggested through a collaborative engagement,” explained Phelisa Mangcu, CEO of SCTIE. “One of our primary objectives as SCTIE is finding ways, and developing products, that bring our rural communities into the tourism economy. We’ve managed to achieve this through business support and guidance, as well as the establishment of our Great Drives Out, the Umzumbe River Trail, and Weza Trail – among many others – and we look forward to expanding this reach even further.”

The Imbizo was a great opportunity to introduce delegates to the KZN South Coast and its many tourism offerings while continuing to position the area as a top MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and events) destination. The top conferencing facilities and teambuilding activities are a welcome change for businesses looking to inspire productivity among employees. With the KZN South Coast home to Blue Flag Beaches, quality golf courses, extensive nature trails, and world-class facilities, it’s ideal for attracting bleisure tourism.

SCTIE launched the Meeting Planner Guide as a resource to assist corporates and conference organisers in accessing information for business conferences, meetings, teambuilding events, and accommodation requirements. To access the KZN South Coast Meeting Planner Guide, visit www.visitkznsouthcoast.co.za.

To find out more about the KZN South Coast’s tourism offerings, download the free ‘Explore KZN South Coast’ app from Google Play and Apple stores; visit the South Coast Tourism on Facebook; South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise on YouTube; @infosouthcoast on Twitter or Instagram; Info Ugu South Coast Tourism on LinkedIn; the SCTIE website to check out the Events Calendar, the KZN South Coast Meeting Planner Guide and more! And click here to check out previous SCTIE press releases. Follow the hashtags #workhardplayhard #kznsouthcoast #extendyourstay #seakznsouthcoast #bleisure #bleisuretravel

 

/ENDS

 

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(Images: Supplied by SCTIE)

The Deputy Minister of Tourism, Mr. Fish Mahlalela.

Maxwell Mhlongo from South Coast Tourism & Investment Enterprise (SCTIE).

Students from Esayidi TVET College, Gamalakhe Campus.

Traditional dancers.

Crafters.

 

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 several 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.

 

Issued on behalf of:

South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise (SCTIE)

Disseminated by:
Olivia Jones Communications

 

For more information please contact:
Olivia Jones Communications
Cell: 083 653 1720
Email: media@oliviajones.co.za