Mhlaba Memela

KwaZulu-Natal remains a tourist destination of choice for local and international tourists despite the global economic meltdown.

In the festive season alone, the region attracted more than 100000 foreign visitors.

The province's tourism body, Tourism KwaZulu-Natal, yesterday revealed an aggressive strategy to promote its Zulu heritage sites to maintain its commitment to be the most attractive tourist destination in South Africa.

Tourism KZN chief executive Ndabo Khoza said they have analysed the markets for other countries and there was no time to "spray and pray".

"We need to target people who have visited the country but could not see all our attractions.

"In our strategy we will be marketing more of Zulu culture as the tourists are fascinated about that," he said.

He said as part of the strategy they have posted people to different countries to promote Zulu heritage.

"We need to take our tourists to different places such as Nongoma, Makhosini and iSandlwana.

"And they are interested in the history of King Shaka and we must take them to him."

Tourism sector general manager James Seymour said the province performed very well during the past holiday season.

He said up to 74percent of hotels in the greater Durban area were fully booked during December last year and January.

Seymour said they were able to attract more than 100000 foreign visitors to the region

"There was a total economic boost of more than R2billion."