Marketing Update
Our overarching ‘Now’s the Time to Visit the KZN South Coast’ messaging continues to filter through all marketing material, with this quarter focusing on ‘Sardine Fever is Here!’ to attract visitors to the annual spectacle, associated Sardine Run events, ocean-based activities, and great local venues.
Buy Local Campaign Update
Our Buy Local campaign continues to support local SMEs by encouraging support for homegrown enterprises and marketing their products and services across key platforms. To find Buy Local businesses, visit the online directory on the SCTIE website. To order from Buy Local members or to join the campaign, visit the Buy Local tag at www.investkznsouthcoast.co.za or click here for a Buy Local membership form to join.
Tourism Awareness Campaign
We encourage our local businesses to promote the Sardine Run as a must-experience phenomenon to guests and visitors and build hype around the phenomenon. We are highlighting the many ocean-based activities, including scuba diving, shark cage diving, deep-sea fishing, surfing, snorkelling and boat tours – as well as the shore-based viewing opportunities. The many Sardine Run events, including the Coastal Seafood Flavours Festival, the Sardine Festival, and the Ocean Festival, are also major tourism drawcards, with businesses encouraged to create Sardine Run-themed packages.
Trade Shows
This quarter, our tourism awareness campaign is themed ‘It’s Getaway Ready!’. We are calling on all our residents, tourism establishments, business owners, and stakeholders to be ‘Easter ready’ and be proud ambassadors of the KZN South Coast. By promoting positive messaging around the Blue Flag Beaches, world-class dive sites, and cultural attractions, we can captivate tourists and drive our local economy.
Africa’s Travel Indaba
We made a strong showing at Africa’s Travel Indaba 2025 with our engaging stand, piloting a successful partnership with San Lameer, Lake Eland, and Beaver Creek Coffee. The collaboration drew high engagement from domestic and international buyers, with Beaver Creek adding flair by serving complimentary coffee. Media exposure included a live Vuma FM interview, while co-exhibitors reported promising business leads. We were also delighted to secure a MICE booking for a July conference at Pumula Beach Hotel, with a post-Indaba tour for an American group also confirmed. The positive results support scaling this initiative next year.
World Travel Market (WTM) Africa Trade Show & Exhibition
We attended the World Travel Market Africa in April, hosted by KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority (KZN TAFA). This platform enabled engagement with media, domestic and international buyers, with particular interest noted in both tourism and investment opportunities. A key outcome was securing free editorial space in Safari Africa Publication, to be distributed at ITB Berlin.
SALGA Municipal Investment & Development Trade Show
We participated in the two-day Municipal Investment and Development Trade Show hosted by the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Umhlanga. The event showcased the opportunities across our agriculture, finance, and tourism sectors, while promoting capable local governance as a driver of economic growth.
Fam Trips
Seat at the Table 2025
Dates: 14 to 16 March 2025
South African Tourism’s Sho’t Left Easter campaign hosted the vibrant Seat at The Table 2025 event at Premier Resort Cutty Sark in Scottburgh. Arriving via Shosholoza Meyl train on Friday, guests – including media, influencers, public figures, and musicians – were warmly welcomed to the region. The main event took place on Saturday, celebrating Easter with a showcase of local culture, cuisine, and hospitality. Designed to inspire domestic travel, the event highlighted hidden gems and empowered local communities by promoting economic growth through tourism.
Botswana Fam Trip
Dates: 19 to 23 March 2025
KZN Tourism & Film Authority (KZN TAFA) and Botswana Tourism officially launched the Botswana Airline, which can now fly directly to King Shaka Airport from Botswana. Our tour operators and strategic media from Botswana were invited to promote the Air Botswana direct route between Durban and Gaborone. This was an opportunity to profile the KZN South Coast as a tourism destination and encourage tour operators to package and sell the KZN South Coast offering.
Post-Travel lndaba Fam Trip with Europe Trade
Dates: 18 to 20 May 2025
South African Tourism and KZN TAFA hosted the Europe Trade after Africa’s Travel lndaba Show. They visited the KZN South Coast to explore our region in order to create packages with the European market. This collaboration with international markets will further support KZN South Coast’s product owners.
