Five KwaZulu Natal tourism product owners who participated in South African Tourism’s India Roadshow this month have returned upbeat about growth prospects from the province’s main source market.

The in-person SA Tourism roadshow was the first mega-event post-pandemic. The delegation travelled to four Indian cities, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru and Mumbai.

A Tourism KwaZulu-Natal spokesperson said platforms like the India Trade Show were critical for tourism business owners to create networks, showcase their tourism products and clinch business deals that would begin to stimulate more travel back to KZN from the Indian market.

“Tourism KZN’s strategy is very clear as the organisation wants to start repackaging and selling tourism products and get their international key source markets back on track. The growth of the tourism sector will contribute immensely to the economic growth, sustained employment, and spatial equity in KZN,” said the spokesperson.

KZN-based tourism business owners that travelled to India were Syavaya Group; African Wild Travel; Wild 5 Adventures; Shark Cage Diving KZN and Kunene Tours. Their post-show feedback was that their travel trade counterparts in India had been blown away by the wide range of tourism products and attractions that KZN has to offer all through the year.

Many indicated they would make on-site familiarisation visits soon and have asked for itineraries to be prepared for their clients.

Lizeka Shandu, MD of African Wild Travel, said she was excited by the huge potential in business from India, and said she was already putting together fresh itineraries for the Indian market.

“Businesses in KZN need to reassure the regional tourists and international travellers that KZN is still a warm and hospitable destination that is safe to travel to and is open for business,” she said.

Paul Jefferys, Owner of Wild 5 Adventures, said the trade show had been an eye-opener and had far exceeded his expectations.

“The trade shows were intense, target-market-orientated and focused. Our KZN products and services brought value to the Indian market and many of the delegates were extremely interested in what we had to offer in KZN.

“We travelled across India in eight days, taking nine flights and meeting in four cities, showcasing our products and services at seven trade shows.

“I advise other KZN SMMEs and business owners not to isolate their business in KZN as we need to get on to more South African and international travel and tourism markets,” he said.

Owner of Shark Cage Diving KZN, John Miller, said the trade show had generated huge interest in KZN as a destination, with particular interest shown in adventure activity sites.

“It was uplifting to see well-established businesses representing KZN at the India Trade Show,” he said.

In 2018, SA welcomed 93 428 arrivals from India and 95 621 in 2019. The India market contributed close to R1.5 billion to SA’s tourism economy and a 12% growth rate in 2019.

The total number of arrivals from India to KZN was 8 552 in 2019, and Tourism KZN is committed to getting back this market share and possibility surpass it as there is a bigger appetite to travel now more than ever.

The easing of travel restrictions will allow TKZN to showcase some of the provincial offerings in many more international platforms. The tourism authority plans to roll out similar engagements in international markets such as the UK, Germany, France and the US.