Marketing Update
With the summer season approaching, our marketing drive has been focused on the KZN South Coast’s outdoor options, highlighting our Blue Flag Beach status and numerous world-class beaches. Outdoor adventure, affordability, and unique experiences are all major drawcards.
Marketing Campaign Update
The messaging of our annual SCTIE campaign ‘Uncover Adventure’ has flowed through our hinterland, rural tourism, extreme adventure, and heritage tourism marketing. This works alongside this quarter’s theme ‘Destination…Summer!’ which uncovers adventures from the beaches to the hinterland.
1. Buy Local Campaign Update
This integrated tourism/investment campaign continues to gain momentum, with more local businesses taking advantage of the free #buylocal membership and benefits. The benefits to both business and consumer are immense, with the Buy Local membership free of charge until 30 June 2025. To find out more or to sign up as a Buy Local member, simply click this link, use our online enquiry or contact Londiwe@sctie.co.za or 039 682 7944.
2. Tourism Awareness Campaign Update
We have continued our internal campaign which ties in with #buylocal, encouraging all residents and local businesses to be proud ambassadors of the KZN South Coast.
3. Tourism Destination Video
We have produced a new tourism destination video for promotional purposes. This 3-minute video captures our many tourism offerings, including accommodation, adventure, golf, beaches, agri tourism, culture, waterfalls, Dezzi Raceway, and more.
Conservation Symposium
In our commitment to sustainable tourism, we attended the annual Conservation Symposium which was, once again, hosted on the KZN South Coast. This year’s event, themed ‘Biodiversity Economy’, ran from 5 to 10 November at Wild Coast Sun in Port Edward. This is an important platform for tackling issues identified by the conservation sector and sharing global insights into sustainable practices which are relevant to the tourism sector as well.
Blue Flag Beach Announcement
On 20 October, Wessa (The Wildlife and Environmental Society of South Africa) announced the 2023/2024 Blue Flag Beaches. This is a voluntary programme which shows a strong commitment to environmental sustainability from municipalities that are awarded. The KZN South Coast has 5 Blue Flag Beaches – the highest number in KZN – and a further 7 in the Blue Flag Pilot programme. In addition, Marina Beach has retained Blue Flag status since the programme inception – 22 consecutive years – and Trafalgar Beach for 12 consecutive years.
Blue Flag Beaches 2023/2024
- Marina Beach – Ray Nkonyeni Municipality
- Trafalgar Beach – Ray Nkonyeni Municipality
- Southport Beach – Ray Nkonyeni Municipality
- Umzumbe Beach – Ray Nkonyeni Municipality
- Hibberdene Beaches – Ray Nkonyeni Municipality
Blue Flag Pilot Beaches 2023/2024
- Pennington Beach – Umdoni Municipality
- Rocky Bay Beach – Umdoni Municipality
- Preston Beach – Umdoni Municipality
- Umthwalume Beach – Umdoni Municipality
- Scottburgh Beach – Umdoni Municipality
- St Michael’s Beach – Ray Nkonyeni Municipality
- Ramsgate Beach – Ray Nkonyeni Municipality
New Tourism Packages Launched
We continue to work with local stakeholders to uncover hidden gems and develop new routes that offer tourists unique KZN South Coast experiences. This quarter, we welcome three new additions to our already extensive tourism package offerings.
1. Gamalakhe Township Experience
On 20 October, we launched the Gamalakhe Township Experience to the media and guests with a media Fam Trip. Our guests enjoyed the chance to learn more about the rich history of Gamalakhe, including a visit to Tin Town, before embarking on a hike into the surrounding areas. The inclusion of township tourism expands the economic footprint while giving visitors a unique and authentic experience. Gamalakhe is also being positioned for MICE events through the Ugu Sports and Leisure Centre.
2. Agri Tourism Route Expanded
The popular KZN South Coast’s Agri Tourism Route, which takes visitors into our beautiful farmlands, has been expanded with the addition of Secret Sithela in Munster. This is a 30-ha eco-estate which has on-site accommodation, forest walks, and indigenous gardens. The team also hosts workshops on natural farming and permaculture in keeping with sustainability.
3. Wellness Way with Southern Explorer
Wellness tourism is a growing industry, and with our incredible natural assets, and health-focused communities, it is fitting that the KZN South Coast is home to the first South African wellness travel route. The Wellness Way is being launched by Odyssey Magazine and The Southern Explorer with our support. The official route will be available for holistic-minded travellers via links to The Wellness Way web portal on The Southern Explorer and Odyssey Magazine websites from 14 December 2023.