Booking boost for city tourism

WHILE locals gear up to go elsewhere for the festive season, tourism establishments in Zululand are reporting a slight visitor booking increase compared to last year.

While it may still be too early to indicate if these figures will hold weight, hotel and lodge managers seems optimistic heading toward the New Year.

Andre de Klerk, Manager of Protea Hotel Empangeni, Umfolozi River and Tuzi Gazi Waterfront said although different in some respects, trends are similar to previous years.

‘Once again, we are full around public holiday periods, especially on the actually holiday.

‘We have huge rushes but short lead-in times.

‘A lot of people who visit here, visit family, but last year we did a survey and found that 25% of the holiday makers were not here visiting family.

‘We should do about the same as last year. Many visitors are once-off tourists and we don’t see them again.

‘People are probably going to stay at home this year, given the current economic climate, but we are optimistic.’

Manager of The Richards and Bayshore Hotel, Jaco Steyn, said there has definitely been increase in leisure business occupancy compared to last year.

‘Because we mainly attract corporates, we are usually very busy during the week and quiet over weekends, but this December we’re finding we are very busy, even on weekends.’

Reporting on a good all round year, Mtunzini Forest Lodge Resort Manager Garth Green said they are seeing a very similar trend to previous years, in the sense that some people have already booked for next year’s Christmas and New Year.

‘We’re pretty much full the whole year, but in terms of comparison, I’d say it’s the same as last year.

‘Our quiet times are usually towards the end of January and February, other than that we’re kept on our toes all year round.’

Humphrey Glass, owner of Zululand Country Lodge in Mtunzini echoed Green’s sentiments, noting that their bookings are very similar to last year.

‘We haven’t seen an increase or decrease thus far; we’re doing the same.’

Manfred Marx, owner of Duck Inn B&B said it was difficult to predict so early in the month, as people tend to make last minute bookings.

‘We are quite busy on the weekend of the 16th, 25th and 31st and Duck Inn is already fully booked for those times,’ said Marx.

‘In between we are usually quiet, but I expect us to fill up quite quickly as the month goes on.’

Marx also expected this year to be roughly on par with the 2015 festive season.

uMhlathuze Community Tourism Organisation Secretary Vanessa le Roux said the city will see an increase in visitors this year.

‘It’s very similar to last year in terms of New Year and Christmas bookings, but I think we will definitely have an influx of people coming into the city this year, solely based on the New Year’s Eve Last Dance Festival which is going to be bigger and better than last year,’ said Le Roux.

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