IN an effort to draw more tourists from India to KwaZulu Natal, Tourism KwaZulu Natal (TKZN) has approached the Pietermaritzburg City Council and various cultural tourism authorities to research and subsequently establish stronger tourism ties with India, focusing on legendary Indian leader, Mahatma Gandhi's time in South Africa.
This follows a visit by Indian editor, TP Mani, of popular Indian travel magazine, Kolaba Cuffe Parade, who expressed his disappointment that so little of Gandhi's heritage is remembered.
"Most people don't realise that the incident where Gandhi was thrown off a train in Pietermaritzburg was a turning point in Indian history. I was disappointed when I went to the Maritzburg station and saw only a little plaque proclaiming it."
According to him, "thousands of Indian tourists" would converge on such a spot if cultural tours depicting these and other events in Indian history were presented.
TKZN communications manager, Robbie Naidoo, told Travel Now that he concurred with Mani's suggestion and said his point is well-illustrated by the fact that Indian tourists prefer to focus on Sun City, the Garden Route and Cape Town when visiting South Africa.
"We are aware that a niche exists and we believe more can be done to stimulate cultural tourism and make the market more aware of the existing memorials and commemorations to Gandhi."
To this end, the Durban Metropolitan Council has invested funds for the upgrading of the Gandhi Settlement in Phoenix - Gandhi's headquarters during his stay in KZN.
(Adéle Mackenzie)
