WHO WE ARE

South Coast Tourism & Investment Enterprises (SCTIE) is the official economic development arm and a legal entity of the Ugu District Municipality with executive powers, serving Ugu District and its family of municipalities. The KZN South Coast is a leading tourism destination that offers incredible investment opportunities within this sector and beyond, extending into the real estate, the ocean economy, agribusiness, logistics, manufacturing, and mining sectors. SCTIE is mandated to identify and unlock the full tourism and investment potential of the KZN South Coast through marketing initiatives, product development, business support and training, dedicated networking events, and breaking down barriers to local investment.

KZN South Coast - An Investment Destination

The KZN South Coast is a region of unlimited potential and opportunities, from tourism and agriculture through to film and real estate investments.

From the coast through to the hinterland, the KZN South Coast has a wealth of untapped investment potential waiting for investors who are looking to branch out into the district and uncover opportunities. These are found along a number of key sectors which can be easily accessed from national economic hubs. Potential can be found in:

  • The natural attributes, year-round warm weather, great schools and facilities make this prime real estate with potential for in-demand housing estates and coastal resorts, among other property development opportunities.
  • Exceptional soil quality and the subtropical climate make the area ripe for agricultural investments.
  • There are extensive manufacturing opportunities with the maritime sector poised for development.
  • As the area expands, the retail sector provides the perfect space for investment with locally manufactured products and goods on offer.
  • With the Indian Ocean, Blue Flag Beaches and world-renowned dive sites, the KZN South Coast is the ideal place to unlock the ocean economy in terms of tourism, sustainable fisheries, renewable energy production, and maritime transport.

KZN South Coast – A Tourism Destination

The Paradise of the Zulu Kingdom boasts incredible diversity in its tourism offerings, with hinterland excursions, outdoor adventures, cultural tours and ‘Bleisure’ tourism as major attractions. The wealth of natural resources, provides unique and authentic experiences that make this a prime tourism destination. Among these are:

  • The highest number of Blue Flag beaches in KZN.
  • Two world-renowned dive sites at Aliwal Shoal and Protea Banks.
  • Two iconic gorges – Oribi Gorge and Umtamvuna Gorge – and The Wild Swing, the highest swing of its kind.
  • 11 quality golf courses.
  • Red Desert – the smallest desert on Earth.
  • KwaXolo Caves featuring centuries-old rock art.
  • The annual ‘Sardine Run’, known as ‘The Greatest Shoal on Earth’.
  • Agri-TOURISM and Great Drives Out adventures.
  • Alongside the natural resources, the region’s accessibility, established infrastructure, meetings/conference venues and eateries, make this a key film, events and business destination.

The role of SCTIE

SCTIE achieves its mandate of promoting and growing tourism along the KZN South Coast in a number of ways. These include:

  • Destination marketing to attract tourism to the area.
  • Product development, to create unique and authentic tourism products that promote local community involvement and increase the geographical spread of tourism.
  • Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) and business support to ensure world-class services and establish tourism businesses.
  • Improve competitiveness by ensuring local tourism industry standards are adhered to.
  • Information infrastructure that ensures the availability of tourism information platforms.

 

In order to support and attract investment to the KZN South Coast, SCTIE focuses on:

  • Highlighting the benefits of locations around the Ugu District and identify suitable commercial enterprises.
  • Collating updated market intelligence, including economic and sector-investment profiles, business opportunities and trade conditions in the district;
  • Facilitating meetings with potential public and private funders, banks and equity firms to unlock finance opportunities.
  • Identify factors that could restrain investment, while working with decision-makers to break down barriers to operating in the district.

 

The KZN South Coast is an accessible, year-round leisure destination that accommodates families, adventure travellers, business travellers and keen investors. SCTIE will leverage this to achieve its goal in positioning the South Coast, as KZN’s leading regional tourism and investment destination!