KZN Tourism and Film Authority said in a statement on Monday that they are expecting a bumper July holiday with more than 920 000 visitors expected to travel to the province during the upcoming school holiday period, generating close to R1.9 billion in tourism expenditure.
Image: Doctor Ngcobo / Independent Media
KwaZulu-Natal's tourism sector is preparing for a busy July school holiday period, with more than 920,000 visitors expected to travel to the province and contribute nearly R1.9 billion to the economy, as reported by Business Report.
According to the KZN Tourism and Film Authority's Winter 2026 Tourism Forecast, the province is expected to welcome 920,320 visitors between June 26 and July 20. That would mark an increase from the 860,035 visitors recorded during the corresponding period in 2025.
Domestic travellers are projected to account for the vast majority of arrivals, with 857,107 visitors expected from within South Africa, while international arrivals are forecast at 63,213.
Tourism spending is also expected to increase year-on-year, rising from R1.8 billion in 2025 to an estimated R1.9 billion this winter, providing support for accommodation providers, restaurants, tour operators and other tourism-related businesses.
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs Rev. Musa Zondi said the forecast underlined the province's continued appeal to travellers despite broader economic challenges.
“The projected increase in visitor numbers and tourism spend is a strong indication that KwaZulu-Natal remains one of South Africa’s most attractive destinations," Zondi said.
He added that travellers continue to prioritise experiences and highlighted the province's diverse tourism offering.
“Few destinations can offer visitors the opportunity to enjoy major sporting and lifestyle events, world-class beaches, mountain escapes, cultural experiences, wildlife attractions and film and creative industry events within a single province. This diversity continues to make KwaZulu-Natal attractive to families, leisure travellers, adventure seekers and business visitors alike.”
Industry stakeholders say booking patterns have been encouraging ahead of the school holiday period.
Brett Tungay, national chairperson of the Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa (FEDHASA), said accommodation providers across the province were seeing healthy demand from both local and regional markets.
“Accommodation establishments across KwaZulu-Natal are reporting encouraging booking trends, with strong demand from both the domestic leisure market and regional visitors,” Tungay said.
“Occupancy levels are tracking well across the province, particularly in key tourism nodes such as Durban, the North Coast, the Drakensberg and the Midlands.”
On the South Coast, tourism operators are also expecting increased activity, helped by the annual Sardine Run and a calendar of winter events.
Dr Vusumuzi Sibiya, CEO of South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise, said several factors were contributing to positive momentum in the region.
“The combination of the annual Sardine Run, school holidays, and a packed calendar of sporting, cultural and community events is generating positive momentum for the destination," he said.
"Accommodation establishments and tourism operators are reporting increased enquiries and bookings as visitors plan their winter getaways.”
Sibiya said the Sardine Run continues to be one of the region's biggest tourism attractions, drawing visitors from across South Africa and abroad.
“This natural phenomenon creates exceptional opportunities for ocean-based experiences, including fishing, diving, ocean safaris and whale watching. Coupled with our beaches, nature reserves and winter events, these activities are expected to drive significant visitor demand.”
He added that the winter tourism season delivers important economic benefits for local communities.
“Increased visitor numbers benefit accommodation establishments, restaurants, tour operators, retail businesses and informal traders, while also creating employment opportunities and stimulating economic activity within communities across the South Coast.”
Umhlanga Tourism chairperson Naomi Crous welcomed the positive outlook, saying the expected growth would provide a boost for the wider tourism industry.
“Tourism remains a vital driver of economic opportunity and we are confident that this winter season will deliver meaningful benefits for local businesses and communities across our region," she said.
"As Umhlanga Tourism we are ready and excited to welcome both domestic and international visitors to Umhlanga and the North Coast, where warm hospitality, beautiful beaches, and unforgettable experiences await this winter.”
In the Drakensberg, tourism operators are also expecting solid demand during the school holiday period.
James Seymour, chairman of the Drakensberg Experience and the uThukela Drakensberg Cluster, said member businesses were forecasting average occupancy levels of around 68%, with most establishments expecting occupancy rates above 60%.
“While tourism operators continue to cite fuel costs and road conditions as challenges, the overall outlook for the region remains positive.”