Tourism KwaZulu-Natal has created a cyber-community through its MY KZN Facebook page of sightseers, hikers, foodies, nature lovers, bikers, runners, beach bums, travel agents and tour guides who just cannot wait to do what they do best: exploring and enjoying the charms of KZN.
Tourism KZN started the MY KZN page (see here) as part of the greater destination awareness marketing strategy to ensure that KZN remains top of mind and becomes the ‘must visit’ destination as soon as the travel bans are lifted.
Travellers are not holding back and are speaking from the heart when they relate how much they are fascinated by everything that KZN has to offer.
Zee Ndaba said: “I am a tour guide in the Drakensberg. This is my life, my church. I cannot wait to go hiking.”
Verushka Ramsami wrote: “Our province is indeed a melting pot of flavours and tastes. And food is a big part of KZN and her people. Sofra Istanbul is an authentic Turkish eatery with branches in Florida Road and at Pavilion. One does not need to go to Turkey to experience the real food, culture and hospitality.”
While Reyo Tsho Ntshiza said she missed hiking and going on road trips with friends and family, Bunny Bhoola enjoyed the “legendary lessons from the fathers of our nation” and punted The Freedom Route, which follows the footprints of Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi in Durban, Pietermaritzburg and Howick.
The travelling public are urged to post images of their best KZN holiday with the hashtags #MyKZN #KZNHasItAll #BelieveIt. Tourism KZN reserves the right to use comments and images from the MY KZN page on its other social platforms.
Since the launch of the MY KZN Facebook page, there has been a steady increase in the number of product owners who are using this forum to market their brands. The goal of the MY KZN page is to create a sense of community by building relationships with the members of the group without an aggressive sales push.
Product owners who want to reach a bigger audience can choose to run ads to boost brand awareness. If you choose to promote your product without running ads, be sure to add value by answering questions, giving detailed information about a niche and being helpful to community members.
Travel lovers will be interested to learn that Tourism KZN will soon be launching an additional portal for posting personal experiences on the Tourism KZN website www.zulu.org.za.
