Tuesday, 17 January 2012
Economic pinch impacts on tourism
The economic slowdown has had an effect on leisure travel with some tourism establishments in Zululand reporting an increase and others a downslide in occupancy rates over the holiday season.
While Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife reported a successful festive season with all major coastal resorts fully booked over Christmas and New Year, tourist trends are pointing to a more conservative stance.‘We were certainly up on day visitors but there has been a slight change in the trend,’ said EKZNW Operations Manager: Tourism-Eastern KZN, Ian Porter.‘We are seeing more people staying for shorter periods.‘This is possibly a reflection of the economy.‘Previously, we would have one family staying for two weeks.
Now, we are seeing two families staying for one week,’ said Porter. However, capacity crowds flocked to coastal destinations with approximately 70 000 people at Sodwana Bay on New Year’s Day.‘It was a relatively incident free holiday season.‘There was conflict over user groups at Sodwana, which is being addressed.‘The beach regulations and national law must stay in place.‘We will try to accommodate people within the parameters of the law,’ added Porter. This comes after angry camp site visitors blockaded the access at Sodwana Bay when ‘beach full’ signs went up. Visitors called for the limit of 200 vehicles in the beach parking area to be increased.
Occupancy
Meanwhile, major hotels in Richards Bay reported a steady increase in occupancy rates compared to the previous year.
The Richards Hotel, General Manager - Dominic Prendergast told the Zululand Observer that leisure visitors alone were up in 2011 compared to the previous year, which saw a boom due to the Kwanaloga Games. ‘We normally see business travellers all year round but over the festive season, more leisure visitors came through and our occupancy rate stood at around 60%,' said Prendergast.
General Manager of the Protea Imvubu Lodge in Richards Bay and Caravan Park, Debbie Carinus also reported a phenomenal season with figures up from the previous year.
Meanwhile, Bed and Breakfast establishments had mixed reactions.‘Our functions were down and accommodations remained stable. There has been a definite drop,’ said Owner of Blue Marlin Guesthouse in Richards Bay, Iris Valentine.
However, owner of the Duck Inn Bed & Breakfast in Meerensee, Sue Duckles reported a 15% increase mainly on the self-catering units with people opting to stay longer.