DURBAN - A tour around the Zulu Royal Palace to a virtual surfing experience.
These were some of the experiences at the KwaZulu-Natal Travel and Adventure which opened this week at the Durban Exhibition Centre alongside the ECR House and Garden Show.
Its mission was to generate some great ideas for those who love to travel or simply get out and about over the weekend.
The show, a Tourism KZN initiative, saw a number of medium to small businesses exhibiting alongside established holiday and tour operators in the province.
Showcasing the depth of cultural activities available to tourists was Londiwe Ngcamu from Nongoma Siyavaya Tours, which hosts tours to the Zulu Royal Palace.
She said over the years interest in the tours had grown.
“We are the only tour operators permitted to take these tours around six homesteads at the palace,” she said.
She added that with cultural events at the palace, such as the annual reed dance in September, the tours boasted something different.
“This is where we take tourists around and teach them about the significance of these events. Once a month we also have the Mona market in Nongoma where izinyanga (traditional healers) from across the province come and buy and sell their muti,” she said.
Ngcamu said about 2000 healers were at the market and while on their tours, visitors always found this market fascinating.
They also promote bead work done by people in the area which is unique to KZN.
“A lot of women in these areas live off the money they make from selling these bead works. When people travel, they like to take home souvenirs as a memory, and they can buy unique, handmade gifts from the beaders.”
Commenting on the KZN Travel and Adventure show, Ngcamu said being at the exhibition allowed her the opportunity to forge relationships with other SMMEs in the province.
“Wherever I go, I represent KZN, and as business in the province, it is good for us to work together to uplift and place KZN on the map as a tour destination.”
Patsy Richards from Durban, who was attending the adventure show for the second time, said she was thrilled to learn and find new places to visit in the province.
“It’s always been exciting to be here and, in as much I find places that I could visit with my family, I do find that the prices are always too steep.”
Jenna Weir, jewellery designer with Lauren Ginn Accessories, said this was her first time at the ECR House and Garden Show. “This is a real good opportunity for SMMEs.”
The show is on until tomorrow and also boasts a Tourism KZN virtual stand where travel enthusiasts get a feel of what it’s like to surf, dance with traditional Zulu dancers and go zip lining.