South Africans go to Durban and the KwaZulu-Natal coast for winter sun. But why don’t international travellers join them?
Direct flights to Durban
When British Airways announced it was going to start (now-cancelled) direct flights to Durban in October 2018, it came to many as a surprise. After all, Johannesburg (for business and as a connecting hub to the rest of southern Africa) and Cape Town (for pleasure) are generally the two cities in South Africa people want to go to.
Yet ask South Africans where they tend to go on holiday in their own country, and there’s a strong chance they’ll say Durban, or the long coastal strips either side of it.
Tourism in KwaZulu-Natal
There is a huge tourism industry in the province of KwaZulu-Natal – and it’s largely a beach tourism industry too. So, in theory, it should be a major winter sun destination for British travellers. So why doesn’t it register on the radar like the likes of the Caribbean, Dubai or Cancun?
It’s certainly not the beaches. OK – they’re not Maldives or Australian standards, but they’re pretty good, and there are lots of them. There’s no reason why they couldn’t have plenty of resorts along them.
Is it safety then? South Africa has a reputation as a place to be wary – although this is often massively overblown. But the same applies to, say, Jamaica and Mexico, but people still flock there.
Lack of direct flights will certainly be a major part in this, but there should be a golden opportunity for the KwaZulu-Natal coast to become a fun in the sun destination for British holidaymakers.
Beyond the beaches in KwaZulu-Natal
What’s more, it’s not a dull one-note winter sun destination either. There’s a strong cultural element, and a genuinely brilliant wildlife element for those who want to go hippo-watching in St Lucia or Big Five viewing in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park.
As a beach holiday for those who like to do something other than sit on the beach every now and then, it’s pretty well armed. And especially so when you consider that the miniscule time difference which leads to no jetlag.
Why international tourists don’t go to Durban’s beaches
So where does the problem lie, then? Well, in many ways, Durban and the coastal strips either side are the victims of their own success. Because they do so well with domestic tourism, and so many people stay with friends and relatives, they haven’t had the impetus to do things to international standards. Sure, there are some impressive resorts, but they’re extremely expensive. The accommodation norm is something that feels perfectly fine for a short break, but not for a big holiday from the other side of the world. It’s not exactly bad, it just doesn’t feel special.
This isn’t a problem exclusive to KwaZulu-Natal, of course. Look at any British seaside town and the issue will arguably be worse – lots of B&Bs that are perfectly fine for the existing market, but not particularly enticing for anyone from overseas who might be contemplating making it their choice for a holiday.
Hopefully, this will change, with facilities and service ethics switched up that extra 15% that’d make these Saffer seaside strips prime targets for people wanting to escape the British winter. The potential is huge, and it’ll be interesting to see whether the need to upgrade clicks.
More South Africa travel
For day trips from Durban and other experiences, check out the selection on Viator. This is an affiliate link, and I will earn commission from anything booked through it.
Other Durban articles on Planet Whitley include:
