KZN targets nearly R1bn Easter tourism boost as visitor numbers surge

KwaZulu-Natal is set for a strong Easter tourism season, with projected spending of nearly R1 billion and robust visitor numbers expected to sustain the province’s post-pandemic recovery.

KZN Film and Tourism Authority (KZN Tourism & Film) on Monday said the province is entering the 2026 Easter period with solid momentum, forecasting about R902 million in tourism spend between 30 March and 5 April.

The period is also expected to attract more than 312,000 domestic trips and over 57,000 international visitors.

The outlook builds on a strong festive season, during which KwaZulu-Natal recorded more than 1.2 million visitors, with some districts achieving occupancy rates above 80% during peak periods.

The authority said this reflects the province’s ability to distribute tourism demand across coastal, inland and northern regions.

International tourism is also showing signs of recovery. The province recorded 291,324 foreign arrivals in December 2025, marking a 14% year-on-year increase and reinforcing KwaZulu-Natal’s position in South Africa’s broader tourism rebound.

At a district level, occupancy rates for the Easter period are expected to remain stable, with uMkhanyakude District Municipality, iLembe District Municipality and uThukela District Municipality all projected to exceed 50%.

Coastal areas such as Ugu District Municipality are expected to follow closely, while inland regions including Amajuba, King Cetshwayo, Harry Gwala and uMgungundlovu are forecast to post moderate occupancy levels.

Reverend Musa Zondi, the MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, said the figures reflect a sector that is translating visitor movement into tangible economic gains across the province.

“This reflects not just demand, but a tourism sector that is consistently converting movement into real economic activity across districts.”

Zondi added that what we are seeing is a continuation of the momentum built during the festive season, where strong occupancy levels and visitor volumes translated into widespread economic participation.

“Easter builds on that foundation, with travel activity spread across coastal, inland and rural areas. Religious tourism remains a key driver of movement during this period, with large pilgrimages expected to draw thousands of worshippers to churches and sites such as Ekuphakameni (Inanda) and Nhlangakazi (Ndwedwe),” he said.

“This is supported by a wide range of church gatherings, conferences and revival services taking place across both urban and rural communities, generating demand across accommodation, transport, hospitality and informal sectors.”

Zondi said that KwaZulu-Natal’s strength lies in its ability to convert travel into impact - across accommodation, transport, local enterprises and community-level economic activity.

“The projected figures for Easter reflect a province that is not only attracting visitors but sustaining value across multiple sectors. As the province enters one of its busiest travel periods outside the festive season, the combination of sustained domestic travel, recovering international arrivals and a diversified tourism offering is expected to maintain activity across districts.”

Jaya Naidoo, general manager for KZN and Eastern Cape at Federated Hospitality Association of Southern Africa (Fedhasa) said forward bookings are strong, particularly along the coastline and at key inland attractions.

Naidoo said Easter 2026 has every indication of being one of the strongest-performing periods the sector has seen since the pandemic.

“Consumer confidence has improved and domestic travel appetite remains robust. International arrivals also continue their upward trajectory.

Furthermore, religious tourism is a significant and often underestimated driver at this time of year, with pilgrimages and church gatherings drawing visitors into both urban and rural areas across the province.”

However, Naidoo cautioned that challenges remain, particularly rising fuel costs and inflation, which could impact both traveller affordability and operating costs for tourism businesses.

“Sustained growth will require continued attention to infrastructure and service delivery. KwaZulu-Natal has the product and the momentum. The task now is to protect and build on it,” she said.

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