Local Area Committees

Local Area Committees (LACs) have been established across the KZN South Coast destination to represent the local tourism industry’s private sector.

There is a Local Area Committee policy that is followed by the LACs and the Committees and Chairpersons are annually elected at the area’s Annual General Meeting. Ugu South Coast Tourism provides administrative support to these LACs, as well as funding for area-specific projects that further USCT’s strategic objectives.

The following LACs operate across the KZN South Coast destination:

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Travel Trade

The travel trade is very important to Ugu South Coast Tourism (USCT), being the sales arm of the industry. USCT is actively driving tour packaging within the destination and its core markets in order to stimulate tourism growth.

Trade associations and stakeholder agreements; networking events; trade exhibitions; workshops and speed marketing events; industry media and trade familiarisation trips and site visits; business-to-business marketing; grading, service and quality standards; relationship and reputation building; press releases and a travel trade newsletter are some of the ways USCT is facilitating tour packaging and product sales.

Ugu South Coast Tourism Members

As per the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism Amendment Act 2002, tourism businesses within the Ugu district need to register with the official Destination Management Organisation for the region, Ugu South Coast Tourism (USCT), and EDTEA.

USCT membership is compulsory for all tourism businesses deriving direct benefit from tourism, incl. but not limited to:

  • All Accommodation establishments
  • All Tour & Activity Operators
  • All Tourist Attractions & Golf Clubs
  • All Tourist Shuttles & Transport Services
  • All Tour Guides
  • Tourism associations’ members

USCT membership is voluntary for all members deriving indirect benefit from tourism, incl. but not limited to:

  • Shopping centres & shops
  • Restaurants
  • Estate agencies
  • Services e.g. health & beauty/spa; laundry
  • Motor dealers, garages & auto services
  • Business chambers & associations
  • Event organisers
  • Marketing companies
  • Neighbouring tourism products outside, but nearby the borders of Ugu district

All businesses that are not directly/indirectly deriving any benefit from tourism can become Friends of Tourism.

Businesses need to sign up to become Members and Friends of USCT and pay the annual membership fee, which provides multiple benefits.