KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) has long lived in the shadow of Cape Town's international appeal and Mpumalanga's wildlife offerings but that might be about to change. Could 2025 be the year that KZN steps into the international spotlight?
Much of this optimism centres on Club Med Tinley – a multi-billion-rand development set to open its doors on KZN’s North Coast in mid-2026 with pre-bookings launching in 2025. Set to become one of the most transformative tourism projects in the region’s recent history, Club Med Tinley has potential to not only attract tourists – local, regional and international – but also redefine KZN as a world-class destination.
But the excitement isn’t just about one resort; there are positive signals everywhere.
The Federated Hospitality Association of Southern Africa (FEDHASA) was proud to partner with South African Tourism, Durban Tourism, City Lodge and other stakeholders at the launch of Durban’s summer campaign in December.
The launch demonstrated the city’s readiness to welcome visitors ahead of the December season and it signalled growing collaboration between government and the private sector. With Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille actively championing regional tourism growth, there has been a palpable sense of momentum building in the province.
This momentum as well as optimism are reflected in December’s occupancy rates. Provincial FEDHASA Chairperson Brett Tungay expects final figures to reflect between 80-85% occupancy – the best December season in four years.
Club Med’s website bills KZN as an “unmissable destination” offering an unmatched combination of assets: 300 days of sunshine annually, rich cultural heritage, diverse wildlife and beautiful beaches.
This aligns perfectly with current tourism trends: visitors (international and local) are increasingly seeking authentic experiences and natural exploration alongside affordable luxury and warm hospitality.
‘Significant economic impact’
Most importantly for the province, the economic implications are significant.
With KZN's current unemployment rate at 31.2%, Club Med's promise of over 2 000 direct and indirect jobs comes as welcome news. The development also brings plenty of opportunity for skills development and knowledge transfer to the hospitality sector. Club Med is committed to supporting and uplifting local communities wherever there is a chance for local suppliers, artisans and operators to benefit.
It’s hard not to be excited about the potential “Club Med effect”. Indeed, Club Med’s President Henri Giscard d'Estaing has been quoted as saying: “What we will do here will be exemplary – we put Cancún, Bali and Mauritius on the global tourism map 50 years ago when there was no tourism there.”
This, coupled with other developments and projects in the province (including new luxury lodges and revamped attractions like the Durban Beach Café), all bodes well for 2025 – as does a booming cruise industry with vessels like MSC’s Musica, Oceania’s Insignia and Silversea’s Silver Spirit all docking in Durban during the summer season.
Are we finally seeing the rebirth of KZN as a premier tourist destination? Could Club Med attract further international investment and development along the KZN coastline?
It’s an exciting thought. After all, Club Med Tinley offers something new for international visitors (a mouthwatering beach-bush combo) and it puts an all-inclusive resort experience (usually associated with Mauritius or Zanzibar) in easy reach of local South Africans.
While the province has experienced significant problems including non-compliance with water quality standards at some beaches, power outages around Ballito and Salt Rock, inconsistent supply of bulk services and the devastating collapse of service delivery along the South Coast due to a prolonged municipal strike, there seems to be greater impetus among national and provincial governments to turn this around. What is needed is sustainable, professional and long-term transformation of local and provincial government’s provision of bulk services in KZN. Consistent and reliable provision of basic municipal services is a non-negotiable when it comes to tourism.
For KZN, where international visitor numbers are still significantly down from pre-COVID levels, we can only hope that Club Med's arrival represents more than just another resort development – it is a catalyst for change and vote of confidence in the province’s potential and a sign of good things to come.
