PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Attention
28 February 2022

The tranquil KZN South Coast launches its first ever Meeting Planner Guide to attract business tourists

The start of 2022 has been accompanied by more in-person business interactions with meetings, conference and event organisers prioritising open-air, well-ventilated venues that take employees out of the city and into nature. To better facilitate such relaxed business engagements, Ugu South Coast Tourism (USCT) launched its innovative Meeting Planner Guide at the Meetings Africa exhibition, hosted in Johannesburg from 28 February to 2 March.

“As a destination that caters to MICE tourism alongside its many recreational options, the KZN South Coast is looking forward to hosting more ‘bleisure’ tourism this year and we’ve attempted to make this as easy as possible for organisers,” explained Phelisa Mangcu, CEO of USCT. “We enjoy a year-round subtropical climate which makes outdoor events possible, and our tourism establishments provide world-class facilities and services in the heart of the Paradise of the Zulu Kingdom. USCT also shares all updated Covid-19 regulations with local establishments across our various communication platforms to encourage stringent safety measures are followed.”

Why the KZN South Coast is a top MICE destination

The KZN South Coast is an emerging MICE destination, whether for teambuilding events, small-scale engagements, conferences and bleisure tourism. With its tranquil Indian Ocean, refreshing nature reserves, rivers, waterfalls and lagoons, this is the perfect destination for those looking to escape the busyness of city living and productively engage in a more relaxed environment.

Here are some more key reasons the KZN South Coast is first choice:

The business hub: The stunning coastal town of Port Shepstone is the region’s business hub, having grown from a seaside holiday destination to become the administrative, commercial, distribution and transport centre of the KZN South Coast. The abundance of available services and facilities is positioning the region as a drawcard for business events, as well as platform from which visitors can enjoy the surrounding tourism options.

Accessibility:  There are domestic and international flights into King Shaka International Airport (KSIA) – just an hour-and-a-half’s drive from Port Shepstone – with car hire facilities and scheduled shuttles to the KZN South Coast. There are also several private airstrips. From Durban it’s a 45-minute drive and less than seven hours from Johannesburg along the national highway.

Venues: The KZN South Coast boasts a number of accommodation and conference venues suited to varying tastes, requirements and budget, with capacity for up to 300 delegates.

The ‘Golf Coast’: Stretching from Umkomaas to the Wild Coast and inland to Harding, there are 11 quality golf courses found on the ‘Golf Coast’, many boasting exquisite sea views while winding through nature reserves. Among them are Selborne Park Golf Estate, one of country’s premium residential golf estates; Southbroom Golf Club, one of the area’s most popular courses; and the Wild Coast Sun Country Club which is one of the top 10 courses in the country. These are the perfect spots for those who prefer to conduct and conclude deals on the greens, before unwinding at the 19th hole!

Teambuilding: There are endless unique teambuilding experiences to be had on the KZN South Coast, including horse riding, shark cage diving, ziplining, gorge swinging, cave hikes, and authentic cultural tours. The area is home to incredibly dynamic and unique natural locations, among them Blue Flag beaches, Lake Eland Game Reserve, Oribi Gorge, KwaXolo Caves, Aliwal Shoal, and Protea Banks – the perfect destinations for outdoor adventure! The locally based tour guides and event organisers are ready to put together a unique teambuilding experience that pushes the limits while creating a truly memorable experience.

What’s included in the Meeting Planner Guide?

This comprehensive guide has been compiled as a one-stop directory for all business conference, meetings, teambuilding and accommodation requirements. It consists of a detailed list of existing MICE venues, teambuilding activities on offer, and relevant contact information. To access the KZN South Coast Meeting Planner Guide, visit www.visitkznsouthcoast.co.za.

For more information about the KZN South Coast, download the free ‘Explore KZN South Coast’ app from Google Play and Apple stores, check out ‘South Coast Tourism’ on Facebook or YouTube, @infosouthcoast on Twitter or Instagram, or ‘Info Ugu South Coast Tourism’ on LinkedIn. Follow the hashtags #outdoorsarein #extendyourstay #beautifulbeaches #kznsouthcoast.

For access to all previous USCT press releases, please visit: https://www.visitkznsouthcoast.co.za/category/press-release/

/ENDS

All images are complimentary for media use, provided the correct photographer credit is included and the images are published in conjunction with the content supplied.

GDO.

KwaXolo Caves.

Leopard Rock Coffee Shop.

Margate-Sands.

Port Shepstone.

San Lameer Golf Course.

Selborne Golf Course.

Selborne Hotel.

Suspension Bridge.

Umthunzi hotel.

Uvongo Beach.

Wild 5 Adventures – Wild Swing.

Wild Coast Sun.

Wild Coast Sun Country Club.

Zipline.

About Ugu South Coast Tourism

Ugu South Coast Tourism (USCT) is the official destination management organisation of the Ugu District Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa. The Ugu District comprises four local municipalities that include Umdoni, Umzumbe, Umuziwabantu and Ray Nkonyeni. USCT’s mandate is to grow tourism within the KZN South Coast. This involves implementing marketing and development initiatives that are aimed at showcasing the diverse offerings and experiences of the South Coast as tourist destination. A board of directors oversees USCT, headed by CEO, Phelisa Mangcu.

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 a number of 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 for ‘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 a number of high-profile events including the The Bike Fest, Uvukile Gospel Festival, Ugu Jazz, Ugu Film Festival and the South Coast Fever MTB & Trail Run Series.

Issued on behalf of: 
Ugu South Coast Tourism (USCT)

Disseminated by:
Olivia Jones Communications

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