KwaZulu-Natal is heading into the Easter holiday period with strong tourism momentum, as the province targets close to R1 billion in tourism spend and a significant influx of both domestic and international visitors.
According to provincial projections, starting on this past Monday to Sunday, 5 April, the province is expected to welcome over 300 000 domestic travellers and more than 57 000 international visitors, translating into an estimated R902 million boost for the local economy.
MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, RevereMusa Zondi, said the outlook reflects a sector that continues to build on the gains made during the festive season.
“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,” said Zondi.
He added that travel activity is expected to be spread across coastal, inland and rural districts, with areas such as uMkhanyakude, iLembe and uThukela projected to exceed 50% occupancy, while other regions are expected to maintain steady levels.
Religious tourism is also expected to play a major role over the Easter period, with thousands of worshippers travelling to key pilgrimage sites such as Ekuphakameni and Nhlangakazi Mountain, alongside numerous church gatherings and conferences across the province.
Meanwhile, the eThekwini Municipality says it is fully prepared to welcome visitors, with projections indicating that more than 1.2 million people could descend on Durban alone, injecting over R2.6 billion into the city’s economy.
Mayor Cyril Xaba said the city is building on the success of the 2025 festive season to ensure a safe and memorable Easter for all.
“We are ready to receive thousands of local and international visitors who will be descending on our shores. We have put in place a comprehensive plan to guarantee their safety on the roads, beaches and places of entertainment,” he said.
Durban’s growing global appeal has also been recognised, with the city recently ranked among the top travel destinations in the world, further boosting confidence ahead of the busy holiday period.
Visitors can look forward to a packed calendar of events, including major concerts and family-friendly activities at popular attractions such as uShaka Marine World, Mitchell Park Zoo and the Durban Botanic Gardens.
To ensure safety, the municipality has deployed over 1 000 law enforcement officers across the city, supported by multiple agencies, with increased patrols, roadblocks and monitoring at beaches, shopping centres and places of worship.
All 23 of Durban’s beaches remain open and safe for swimming, with 200 lifeguards on duty daily, while water quality testing has been intensified during the holiday period.
The city has also assured residents and visitors of a stable water supply, with infrastructure upgrades and improved inflows at treatment plants helping to stabilise the system ahead of the influx.
As one of the busiest travel periods outside the festive season, Easter 2026 is expected to further cement KwaZulu-Natal’s position as a leading tourism destination, delivering economic benefits across communities, businesses and sectors.
From coastal escapes to cultural and religious experiences, the message from both province and city is clear: KwaZulu-Natal is open, ready, and welcoming this Easter.
