KwaZulu-Natal Tourist Arrivals Surge 29% as Province Targets Deeper Visitor Spend
KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) recorded a 29% increase in tourist arrivals in July 2026, with approximately 33,500 visitors entering the province through ports of entry, up from nearly 26,000 in July 2025, according to Statistics SA. The growth outpaced the national increase of 12.3% and was driven predominantly by southern African visitors, with arrivals through the Golela border post with Eswatini rising by 33% and the Kosi Bay border with Mozambique recording a 42% increase. KZN Tourism and Film Authority acting chief executive Sibusiso Gumbi acknowledged the strong figures but stressed that the priority now is converting arrivals into overnight stays, restaurant spending and tour bookings to generate tangible economic value for local communities.
To capitalise on the momentum, the KZN Tourism and Film Authority is increasingly deploying digital marketing and influencer campaigns, bringing content creators to the province during September - South Africa's Tourism Month - to showcase experiences to their audiences. The strategy is viewed as more cost-effective and authentic than traditional marketing, with local influencers particularly valued for their first-hand knowledge of their areas. The broader product development focus is on linking coastal areas to the Midlands, Drakensberg, battlefields and cultural experiences, encouraging visitors to extend their stays and spend across more of the province. Accommodation operators, however, noted that the rise in arrivals has not yet translated into a proportional increase in occupancy levels.
Source: Moneyweb