KwaZulu Natal is expecting a bumper Easter holiday season, with the province currently on 65% hotel occupancy. This is projected to climb to 80%.

The region was bucking the trend of dismal bookings in the wake of the COVID-19 restrictions and experiencing a resurgence of interest and visitors, said MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Ravi Pillay.

“We are looking forward to the Easter season and subsequently the July winter season. I am happy at the figures. We’re expecting about 80% of bookings and we think that will be the start of the revival,” he said.

Visiting the South Coast ahead of the Easter season launch campaign, Pillay said: “KZN is safe, it’s cost-effective, it’s fun, it’s family-friendly, it’s nature-based and it has an extensive range of things to do.”

Tourism KwaZulu-Natal (TKZN) – which falls under the auspices of the Department Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs – is on an aggressive campaign highlighting the many sites and activities that are much safer in terms of reduced COVID-19 risks.

All tourism businesses, which have been fully briefed on the regulations, are able to offer visitors family-friendly open-air activities, emphasised a TKZN spokesperson.