Despite disruptions caused by recent floods that battered parts of KwaZulu-Natal’s coastal towns of Margate and Port Shepstone, the province’s hospitality industry is on course to rake in millions of rands over the festive period. The industry, which in recent years has been on a growth trajectory following a slump caused by Covid-19 and earlier floods, is projecting at least a five percent increase in festive-season revenue compared with last year. Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa (Fedhasa) East Coast chairperson Brett Tungay said eThekwini, the province’s main tourism hub, is expected to record the strongest revenue growth over the festive season.
“The industry is grateful to the eThekwini Municipality, which in recent years has put considerable effort into addressing problems such as beach pollution, something that has negatively affected the sector for many years,” Tungay said. In previous festive periods, up to ten beaches were closed because of pollution. That number has since dropped to about four, which is a massive improvement.
“Although the festive season is still in its early stages, indications are that the industry in eThekwini will see around 10% revenue growth, while other regions will grow by about five percent,” he added. While concerns were raised that recent flooding along the South Coast — also a major tourist region — would negatively affect the hospitality sector, Tungay said the impact had been “minimal”. “Even facilities affected by the floods were able to reopen the very next day,” he said.
Read Full Article on The Witness
[paywall]
The strong performance of the industry, Tungay added, would help KwaZulu-Natal cement its position as the country’s leading domestic tourism destination. The Western Cape remains the leading province for attracting international tourists, but Tungay said KwaZulu-Natal was well placed to compete for a larger share of the international market. According to the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority, between January and June 2026 the province is likely to record 4,3 million domestic trips and 387 155 international arrivals, contributing a combined R13,4 billion in visitor spend.
[/paywall]
