TKZN to market previously ignored area

TOURISM KwaZulu Natal (TKZN) has entered into a partnership agreement with Explore E.G. to establish a Gateway Tourism Information Office in Kokstad, near the Eastern Cape border in southern KZN. This office at the Mount Currie Inn was officially opened last Friday. TKZN's three year tourism strategy identifies the provision of information as being a key element of its strategic marketing framework, says TKZN senior research and information manager, James Seymour. "This framework stipulates that TKZN will aim to provide a comprehensive information service to both the consumer and trade. This will be through the establishment of information offices at key gateway entry points in the province, information provision at airports, and partnerships with local community tourism organisations (CTO' s). Internationally this will be maintained through linkages with SA Tourism and SA government offices in key source markets, and attendance of international trade and consumer shows." It is hoped that the new Kokstad office will not only create a greater awareness of the entire 'Zulu Kingdom', but also the East Griqualand area. "This fascinating area, is a region which has often been ignored in terms of tourism marketing effort," says Seymour. (Adéle Mackenzie)