Asata will host its next annual conference in Durban.

In October last year, CEO Otto de Vries said the association was considering boycotting KwaZulu Natal for the convention if KZN’s MEC of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Michael Mabuyakhulu, pushed ahead with a proposed 10% hospitality levy to be implemented in April.

Although the MEC has not withdrawn his intention to impose the levy, Asata told Tourism Update there had been positive discussions with provincial authorities and, as a result, had decided to go ahead with the conference there.

The conference will be held at the Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani hotel from May 22 to 25.