The uMhlanga Tourism Hospitality Fair, held at the uMhlanga Sharks Board on, 19 February, aimed to promote and market local businesses and properties. The fair was attended by various eThekwini Municipality departments, the KwaZulu-Natal Department for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA), and other key stakeholders.
According to uMhlanga Tourism chairperson Jeannie Sarno, the fair was a huge success, with a large number of attendees despite poor weather conditions. Sarno said: “The attendees were allowed to raise questions and issues to the city officials. They received clear answers and contact details from the officials for further enquiries. The attendees were also treated to samples by some suppliers, food samples and prizes that had been donated as spot prizes.”
The fair provided an opportunity for uMhlanga Tourism to engage with non-compliant members and assist them in becoming compliant. “We have an open door policy and we would be happy to assist you with your tourism-related queries,” Sarno said.
General Manager of FEDHASA East Coast, Jaya Naidoo, praised the event, saying it was filled with opportunities for engagement, networking, and knowledge sharing. “Our shared goals are customer satisfaction, quality service delivery, competitive advantage, and revenue growth,” Naidoo said.
Naidoo highlighted the importance of recognising common goals and fostering meaningful relationships within the industry. “By recognising these common grounds, hospitality providers foster meaningful relationships, share expertise, and drive collective growth in the industry,” he said.
Mavela Ndlovu, representing the eThekwini Municipality’s Development Planning Department, presented on land use and zoning. He advised businesses to ensure compliance with planning approval, zoning regulations, and to seek previously approved plans from sellers.
Kabelo Motumi, representing EDTEA’s Supply Chain Office, discussed the Community Tourism Office (CTO) Strategy, which provides a framework for cooperation between the public and private sectors. “The strategy ensures promotion and marketing within our areas, and there is a need to have CTOs in place to attract tourists,” Motumi said.
