Page 14 - KZN Business Sense 8.3 - Ebook

A UNIQUE HINTERLAND

TOURISM EXPERIENCE

KZN SOUTH COAST LAUNCHES UMZUMBE RIVER TRAIL

he South African Tourism an unmatched hinterland experience the traditional
Board stated,“Hiking excursion that brings in natural culture of each of these clans.
Ttrails are the best way to and cultural enlightenment
Drumming, song, dance and
experience South Africa’s scenery, along the way. In this way, we’re storytelling will give insights
sunny climate and outdoor creating a sustainable rural into a history stretching back to
culture – it’s one of the world’s tourism product that further the days of iNkosi uShaka and
most popular hiking destinations. entrenches the Paradise of
Whether you like to hike up the Zulu Kingdom as a prime beyond. Guests will also enjoy
the opportunity to venture out
mountains, along rivers or holiday destination.” and experience the taverns,
through valleys, you’re certain to Those embarking on the sights and sounds of nearby
find a perfect route.”
Umzumbe River Trail will be villages. The world-renowned
The development of tourism given a traditional welcome skill of local artisans will be
routes in the hinterland is a at the start at Mhlabatshane showcased through handmade
key role of Ugu South Coast Dam in Phugashe before a arts and crafts on display.
Tourism (USCT), bringing week-long hiking adventure There is so much to ‘sea and
unique experiences to visitors that winds along 70km of
while creating valuable spectacular natural landscape. do’ on the KZN South Coast!
job opportunities for local Knowledgeable local trail guides To find out more about the
Umzumbe River Trail and other
communities. The launch of will lead guests, either hiking and KZN South Coast experiences,
the Umzumbe River Trail at biking, while sharing information
the Durban ICC on Wednesday, on the unique geology, flora and download the free ‘Explore
4 May is the latest hinterland fauna of the region as well as the KZN South Coast’ app from
Google Play and Apple stores,
initiative that takes visitors many medicinal uses of plants check out ‘South Coast Tourism’
into the heart of the KZN that have formed part of Zulu
South Coast for an authentic culture for centuries. on Facebook or YouTube, @
Zulu experience. infosouthcoast on Twitter or
This trail winds across a Instagram, or ‘Info Ugu South
“There are more than 1 000 landscape that is home to six Coast Tourism’ on LinkedIn.
registered hiking trails across Zulu clans; the eNhlangwini, Follow the hashtags:
South Africa’s nine provinces eMabheleni, KwaCele,
offering visitors an incredibly KwaNdelu, KwaQwabe and #seaanddo #greatestshoalonearth
immersive experience,” KwaMadlala. Guides will take #sardinerun
#subtropicalparadise
explained Phelisa Mangcu, hikers on detours along the
CEO of USCT. “Drawing on trail to places of interest and #kznsouthcoast. 
this popularity, we considered privately owned refreshment
a dedicated KZN South stops. Every night, visitors will (Image: Supplied by USCT)
Coast hiking trail the perfect be welcomed into authentic Visit www.visitkznsouthcoast.co.za for
way to provide visitors with homestays where they get to more information on tourism offerings

A WINNING AFRICA’S TRAVEL INDABA

urban’s Inkosi Albert Africa’s Travel Indaba signalled impressive team were over the Africa’s Travel Indaba, with and 377 media were hosted.
Luthuli International the resurgence of large-scale moon when no major hitches were delegates attending meetings or Also, 14 000 meetings between
DConvention Centre business meetings at the award- reported as the final curtain came visiting the various exhibitions, delegates took place. Projections
Complex came through with winning Durban ICC since the down on Africa’s Travel Indaba. only 50% of the convention are that there were 3 700 visitors,
flying colours when it hosted pandemic brought the MICE centre’s capacity was allowed to a direct spend of R29 million,
the 2022 Africa’s Travel Indaba industry to a near standstill at “The return of Africa’s Travel be filled and social distancing R72.5 million contribution to
over four days during May 2022 the beginning of 2020. Indaba to the Durban ICC after was maintained. The wearing the City’s GDP and 145 jobs
a two-year absence was the
and proved it has not lost the strongest indication that the of masks was made compulsory were created.
touch as a world-class business Durban ICC CEO Lindiwe inside all venues. Testing stations
meeting venue. Rakharebe said she and her African continent’s tourism sector and a vaccination site were “The new ways of working
is well on the road to recovery. will ensure that the Durban ICC
available at designated areas and
“We had prepared long and hard delegates needed to complete an continues to provide the highest
to be ready to again host major electronic screening form, prior levels of infrastructure and
events. During the lockdown lull to arrival at the venue. service standards, in keeping
in bookings, ageing infrastructure The Durban ICC has perfected with the multitude of service
at the Durban ICC was the hosting of large events while excellence awards we have
refurbished and revamped, staff achieved over the years.
were upskilled and trained in new the microscopic coronavirus “The enterprising spirit of
areas of operations, and prudent bug still lurks. It has embraced our people, our resilience and
the new norm occasioned by
expenditure principles were put restrictions, by reinventing the tenacity, and our determination
in place.
business. Innovation came to to never give up despite the
“When the green light was given the fore with the introduction impossible odds – this is what
for Africa’s Travel Indaba to go of hybrid meetings which saw will shape a brighter future for
ahead, we were all set to do what person/face-to-face attendees the Durban ICC and the tourism
we know best: putting together a connecting virtually with other sector it supports.
world-class event that meets and meeting attendees. “This is what will make us better
even exceeds all performance than we have ever been before,”
targets,” said Rakharebe. Rakharebe said there were
18 African countries present said Rakharebe. 
While the Durban ICC was at the Africa’s Travel Indaba,
a bustling hub of activity for 655 exhibitors, 965 buyers W: www.icc.co.za

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