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7.5.2. Tourism
The regIOn has a high tourism potential, which has not been properly exploited,
environmentally or otherwise. Numerous sites oftourism significance are being underutilised
and insufficiently marketed. From the prevailing situation, this study seeks to recommend an
integrated coherent tourism master plan which the Local Municipality must propose in
consultation with the ZDM and the relevant sector departments such as the Department of
Provincial and Local Government (KZN), Department of Arts and Tourism (KZN),
Department of Economic Development (KZN), Independent Development Trust (IDT), the
National Roads Agency (NRA), the KZN Tourism Board and other development institutions
for funding.
An integrated coherent tourism master plan must be drawn on the major landscape and
cultural attributes in the study area. The plan demonstrates Ulundi as the cultural centre of
the Zululand district and all tourism activity should be focused on the theme of it being the
birthplace of the Zulu Nation, incorporating some of the richest historical sites in Africa,
wildlife and living cultures. The Emakhosini development, the airport and the P700 link to
the Cengeni Gate ofHluhluwe - Umfolozi Park should be prioritised as anchor projects in the
master plan. The Ophathe Emakhosini development initiative is labour intensive and will
have a high labour absorption capacity during the construction and infrastructure development
phase. The project comprises the introduction of game to the area, the development of rest
camps and a Nguni cattle-farming project that involves the local community. It is envisaged
that this project unlocks vast tourism opportunities for the Zululand Region and has the
potential to act as a catalyst for local development ofcommunities like Ulundi.
This plan is expected to spell out a marketing strategy to be adopted to promote these
destinations locally and internationally. One of the most striking ways in which local
authorities could stimulate economic development is through exploiting the potential of the
local tourist industry where local tourism is highlighted as a function of local authorities. The
community tourism association (CTA) should be at the forefront of this drive. There is the
need for a well crafted advertising and marketing strategies that embrace networking and
partnership with neighbouring district municipalities for a comprehensive tourism framework.
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