KZN tourism expected to take a 62% knock
A 62% drop in domestic tourism is expected in KwaZulu-Natal this year.
Premier Sihle Zikalala says in 2020, only 2.3 million trips will have been made compared to 2019's 6.2 million trips.
He says the estimated spend this year will be R3.6 billion compared to the R8 billion in 2019.
Zikalala gave this breakdown of the projections during a briefing yesterday.
"Following the announcement of more restrictions, including the closure of beaches and public parks on certain days, a survey was conducted on 144 accommodation establishments across the province.
"This was to establish the impact of the announcement on the tourism and hospitality sectors. Of those interviewed, 59% establishments reported to have received cancellations for the festive season period.
He says the closure of beaches and parks on public holidays and other busy days over the festive season isn't the only reason tourists have been cancelling their holidays here.
He says anxiety over the rise in coronavirus cases is also a factor.
"Ethekwini – Projected 25% reduction in occupancies since beach closures, from 70 to 55%. Ilembe - Projected 20% reduction in occupancies since beach closures, from 100% to 80%. Ugu – occupancy is at 80. uMgungundlovu – occupancy is between 45% to 50%. uMkhanyakude District – 100% fully booked and was not affected by beach restrictions. Zululand – was sitting at 45% occupancy. Amajuba – 45% to 50% occupancy. Drakensberg establishments in uThukela have reported 100% occupancy from this week until the 5th of January."
