Page 7 - TKZN Annual Report 2023/2024

of entrepreneurs in these areas of KwaZulu-Natal. It is crucial to nurture new tourism product owners and service providers to ensure the benefits of tourism are spread more widely across the province and to open the sector to a greater number of businesses.
Infrastructure development
The provincial government has mandated its entity Tourism KwaZulu-Natal with tourism development by assisting developers with viable projects and by capacitating SMMEs through business skills training, mentorship, and access to international, regional, and local markets where possible.
Developing new tourism products is vital to keeping a destination interesting and desirable and over the years KZN has done an excellent job at making sure that there is something for everyone when they visit.
But it does not end there.
During the year under review, we have put together a portfolio of catalytic projects, eight of which are private sector-led and which TKZN is assisting with.
These projects, along with other private developments such as the Club Med Resort at Tinley Manor, Babanago Game Reserve, and the new Ernie Els golf course, demonstrate that KwaZulu- Natal is a province full of opportunities and potential. They highlight a pipeline of new developments designed to attract travelers from around the world and underscore the confidence that private investors have in our province. Importantly, these projects are expected to create over 3,000 temporary jobs during construction and more than 3,000 permanent jobs.
Thirty years ago, the idea of a cruise terminal in Durban, KZN, would have seemed unimaginable, as cruising was then considered a luxury for the elite. Today, we proudly host the purpose-built R300-million Nelson Mandela Cruise Terminal at Durban Harbor.
This terminal, a collaboration between MSC and a BBBEE partner, will be instrumental in attracting more international cruise liners and tourists to KZN. Cruise tourism is a key focus in our 5-year Tourism Master Plan, offering a significant opportunity to expand the blue economy in our province.
I would also like to express my appreciation to the Tourism KwaZulu-Natal Board and management for their support and to all the stakeholders within our tourism sector for their ongoing dedication to making tourism work in KZN.
This is the last Tourism KwaZulu-Natal Annual Report, and we move on to the next chapter in this tourism story. I hope that we will bend together to drive these important initiatives and ensure that the KZN tourism sector blooms to its full potential.
REV. MUSA K. ZONDI, MPL
MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs
TOURISM KWAZULU-NATAL ANNUAL REPORT 2023/2024 5