KwaZulu-Natal’s tourism industry is preparing for a bustling Easter season, with the province expecting to welcome over 400,000 visitors from April through May. The influx is anticipated to inject approximately R1.4 billion into the local economy.
Hotel occupancy rates are already averaging 60%, with luxury accommodations leading the pack in bookings, surpassing demand for three- and four-star establishments.
As holidaymakers flock to the province, the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport is ramping up road safety efforts. Authorities are calling for stricter penalties for motorists caught driving under the influence, with officials pushing for six-year prison sentences to act as a deterrent.
Department spokesperson Ndabezinhle Sibiya emphasized the strain alcohol-related accidents place on the healthcare system and reiterated the need for firm enforcement.
“We are aiming for a six-year prison sentence for drunk drivers because we want this to serve as a deterrent during the Easter holiday, Passover and beyond,” said Sibiya. “We must put an end to the reckless behaviour that results in fatalities on our roads.”
Traffic is expected to intensify, with projections indicating that around 1,500 vehicles will pass through KwaZulu-Natal toll gates every hour starting Thursday.