Durban - As the festive season kicks into gear, the UMngeni Municipality has unveiled a selection of tourist attractions .
Mayor Chris Pappas stated that the town has something for everyone when it comes to tourism.
“We want local and international tourists and visitors from KwaZulu-Natal to come here,” he said.
“We are four hours from Johannesburg, an hour and a half from King Shaka International Airport, and just 30 minutes from Pietermaritzburg. We are really well placed for what we offer, with iconic sites such as the Nelson Mandela Capture Site and the Howick Falls, which is currently undergoing a revamp.”
He mentioned that work on the Falls tourism site is nearing completion, with paving done, security features installed, and braai facilities and outdoor furniture in place.
“It is looking great and is a safe place for visitors,” he added.
The Falls is expected to open this year.
Last Friday, the municipality invited members of the media to explore some of the tourist attractions including Groundcover, a leather goods store specialising in handmade products; Caversham Mills; the Brahman Hills Wedding, Events, Hotel and Spa and Karkloof Safari Spa.
Groundcover, a leather goods store, was founded nearly 35 years ago and the store's founders were among the original members of the Midlands Meander organisation, which promotes tourism in the area.
The business features an on-site factory where tourists can observe the crafting process, as well as a retail store.
Daniel McCarthy, the manager of Groundcover, shared the proud history of the business, noting that at least four employees have been with the company since its inception. Currently, they employ about 30 people.
“If you come to this site, you will find a family environment here. Our staff members are accommodated on-site, which is why you might see children running around,” he said.
“The thing about genuine leather products is that many customers will return to replace them after five years. We have seen a significant number of returning clients,with many people coming back for a third or fourth time to buy our products.
“In the past three to four years, we have focused on expanding our online presence. Our online sales have grown by about 50% in the last two years. Additionally, we opened a shop in Johannesburg, which has been very good for us,” McCarthy added.