From Covid's impact to tourism revival: Tour operator's inspirational journey in KZN
When one door closes, another one opens. According to director and founder of King Shaka Golf Tours, Praven Naidoo, 47, the effects of the Covid-19 on the tourism and hospitality industry inspired him to open his business.
King Shaka Golf Tours is a KwaZulu-Natal based inbound tour company that specialises in transfers, safari tours, honeymoon getaways and golfing tours.
Though the company is still new, Naidoo is no stranger to the industry and started out in 1996 working in coaches.
The Chatsworth-born businessman and tour operator revealed that he registered to study teaching at the University of Durban-Westville, however he couldn’t complete his studies due to lack of finances.
He said this challenge redirected him to his first job.
“I actually got a job and the first job I got was in a coach industry that serviced tourists that came into the country and since then I’ve been in the coach industry.
“It’s a very interesting type of work because you always dealing with a different type of people from other countries and you learn about their countries from conversing with them as well,” said Naidoo.
He said that in 2022, he decided to move away from coaching industry and open King Shaka Golfing Tours, concentrating more on bringing tourists back to South Africa and to KZN.
This strategy worked to his advantage as he also showcased at South African Tourism’s Africa’s Travel Indaba three times with Tourism KwaZulu-Natal.
This provided him with the opportunity to connect with overseas tour operators helping his company bring tourists to South Africa.
“Covid-19 was particularly very harsh on the tourism industry as we had a complete lockdown. There was lack of support from the government and the coaching industry.
“A lot of companies closed, a lot of hotels closed, as you might know the Hilton Hotel in Durban is still closed and battling to reopen. So the after-effects of Covid has left a lasting impression in our tourism industry,” said Naidoo.
The tour operator said that while business is picking up, he did face challenges when he started out but quickly found solutions to them.
“As everyone knows, Durban has the best weather all year round and has many, many attractions for tourists to experience.
“That’s why I started my business. It was tough going in the beginning, so what I would also do was a bit of outbound tours like the MSC cruiseship that comes from November to March every year,” said Naidoo.
He added Zanzibar and Mauritius tours to his product offering as part of efforts to build up his clientele for inbound tours. The tour operator also does day tours and golf tours which he says are increasing in demand around the province.
“Tourism helps in many ways financially and also makes the rest of the world aware of what a beautiful country South Africa is, particularly Durban, with our beaches and perfect climate,” said Naidoo.
For those looking to get into the travel and tourism industry, the humble entrepreneur said doing what you love and are passionate about will make your successful.
“It’s something different everyday and you get to meet people from around the world, and it broadens your knowledge about other countries. Also, when it comes to working and doing a job that you love, you will excel at it.”
He added that a lot of people end up being employed in companies and doing work they’re not happy doing, which affects them and their work ethic negatively.
“If you find a job that you are passionate about, you will excel and there will be no boundaries,” concluded Naidoo.