The success of the Zulu Legends pilot project, housed at well known Musgrave Centre, Durban has given the originators of the project, Tourism KZN, the confidence to move this centre to the prestigious new tourist attraction, Ushaka Island, which is part of Durban’s multi-million rand development project at the Point Waterfront.

Such is the opinion of ex CEO of TKZN, Gareth Coleman, who combined efforts mid 2003 with the since defunked Legends restaurant – a well-known eating establishment on the Berea for over 22 years. This bustling early morning –late night venue provided the perfect opportunity to test run the concept which combined a top quality cosmopolitan restaurant, bar and coffee shop with the unique concept of a “one stop” tourist office which not only included an in-house travel agency and internet café experience, but was also a general tourist information centre catering particularly for the KZN market and visitors to the region.

“To top these unique one stop conveniences, the venue also provided the local shopper as well as the tourist, the opportunity to browse and buy some of KZN’s best crafts and products -from locally made handcrafted jewellery and cutlery items, to clothing and candles, gifts, cards and even carefully selected fresh produce such as coffees, cheeses and other delicacies,” says Tanya van Agthoven, PR consultant on the project.

“This was, however, merely the pilot project which afforded TKZN the opportunity to select and discard services and concepts along the way in order to ultimately provide the local, national and international tourist customer with the best possible selection of services and products.”

Being the first but by no means the last of such centres, the pilot project run at Musgrave Centre has now afforded TKZN the opportunity to develop the second of their Zulu Legends concepts with a refined selection of services at their new Ushaka Island centre.

TKZN realised that whilst the pilot project venue on the Berea had its benefits, the concept of Zulu Legends would be best suited to be situated within a dedicated “tourist friendly” environment –such as Ushaka Island.

“Since there remains intention to open a number of such centres, franchises if you like, within KZN and other parts of the country- eventually even placing the Zulu Legends concept in other countries, we have decided that whilst keeping the main theme running through the various centres, it would be appropriate to adapt the concept to suit each chosen venue as we go along,” adds Tanya.

The Ushaka Island Office will house a tour operator to package and promote selected tours to tourists as determined by TKZN, an Internet café to promote destinations within the region, a car rental outlet, a courier service for people wanting to post goods nationally and internationally, an information centre providing tourists with information about destinations within the province and interactive audio visual facilities to educate and stimulate tourists with interactive experience of the province. There will also be a retail section which will sell Zulu Kingdom branded merchandise!

Zulu Legends at Ushaka Island will be operational as from May 1. The offices may be contacted via TKZN on 031 366 7508 for further information.