With more than a million tourists expected to visit KwaZulu-Natal during the holiday season, Pietermaritzburg and towns across the Midlands are set to benefit from an initiative aimed at exposing visitors to attractions beyond the province’s coastal strip. KZN is expected to have another bumper season amid the recovery of the tourism sector, which was among the sectors hardest hit by the Covid-19 pandemic. Instead of just telling people to visit Durban and other coastal areas, we are now saying that while you are in Durban, you can also visit attractions in the Midlands and other inland areas.
“We have also noticed that during the festive season there are times when weather patterns make it difficult for visitors to be at the beaches, particularly when it is raining. “Instead of visitors being trapped in their hotel rooms, we offer them options to explore the inland areas,” said KZN Tourism and Film Authority spokesperson Pinky Radebe. The initiative has been welcomed by Kate Kelly of the Midlands Meander tourism route, who described the Midlands as a “unique ecosystem” and praised efforts to connect routes, experiences and regions.
“No town, no village, and no attraction stands alone. We are creating a collective strength, a shared voice, and a united vision for tourism growth in our province,” she said. The arrival of holidaymakers is expected to inject around R13 billion into the provincial economy.
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Growth in this year’s tourism sector comes as the latest GDP figures released by Stats SA show that tourism has bounced back as one of the country’s main economic growth drivers. According to the Stats SA data released last week, GDP grew by 0,5% in the third quarter of 2025, with the trade, catering and accommodation sector — driven mainly by tourism — recording one percent growth. Government acting spokesperson Nomonde Mnukwa welcomed the figures. “The continued improvement reflects the resilience of the South African economy and the impact of ongoing structural reforms to support inclusive and sustained growth.
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