Government leaders, tourism stakeholders and company executives described the development as one of South Africa’s most significant tourism investments in recent years, with expected benefits including job creation, skills development and regional economic growth.
Patricia de Lille, South Africa’s Minister of Tourism, said the development demonstrates the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors in supporting tourism investment and economic expansion.
“Tourism investment is not only about building new products,” said Minister de Lille. “It is also about maintaining and enhancing our existing attractions while diversifying the experiences available to travellers.”
The Minister noted that South Africa welcomed a record 10.5 million international tourists in 2025, while 2.9 million international visitors were recorded during the first quarter of 2026.
The development has already generated more than 2,300 direct and indirect jobs during the construction phase. Once operational, the resort is expected to support between 600 and 650 permanent positions.
The project has also included hospitality scholarship programmes and skills development initiatives aimed at young South Africans.
Chris du Toit, Project Director at Collins Residential, said the project transformed former sugarcane fields into a tourism destination within 26 months. “This project proves that developments of this scale can be delivered successfully in South Africa,” said du Toit. “A lot of people believed a greenfield tourism project of this magnitude could not be achieved locally, but this development demonstrates what is possible through collaboration, innovation and confidence in the South African market.”
The project was funded entirely through South African investment, with local banks and suppliers involved throughout the development process. At peak construction, approximately 1,850 workers were on site daily, contributing to a total of 4.5 million man hours completed without lost-time injuries.
Environmental measures formed part of the development, including the planting of around 4,000 indigenous trees aimed at restoring the surrounding coastal forest environment.
Olivier Perillat-Piratoine, Managing Director of Club Med South Africa, described the resort as the result of a 16-year development process. “We do not take the success of this property for granted,” he said. “This has been an extraordinary human journey involving expertise, talent and collaboration from South Africa and around the world.”
According to Perillat-Piratoine, the concept combines South Africa’s beach and safari experiences into a single integrated tourism product.
“Beach and bush is an extraordinary combination for today’s global traveller,” he said. “South Africa offers a travel and hospitality experience unlike anywhere else in the world.”
Barq Guessoum, Chef de Village Club Med South Africa (Resort GM)
Ahead of the opening, Club Med launched a global “Destination South Africa” campaign targeting its international customer base of more than two million travellers. The campaign positioned South Africa among the company’s three most in-demand global destinations at launch.
The resort has already secured bookings from more than 40 international markets, with demand led primarily by European travellers alongside strong domestic interest from the South African market.
Demand from both the leisure and MICE segments has also shown significant momentum ahead of the official opening.
“We already have thousands of leisure guests booked before the resort has even officially opened,” said Perillat-Piratoine. “At the same time, major South African and international companies have already secured conference and incentive bookings.”
Minister de Lille also referred to efforts to improve accessibility to South Africa through expanded digital visa systems for markets including India, China, Indonesia and Mexico.
Stakeholders at the event said the development is expected to support broader tourism and economic growth across KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa through increased international visibility, infrastructure investment, local supplier development and tourism expansion.
“This is a world-class product that showcases the diversity and quality of South Africa’s tourism offering,” said Minister de Lille. “We are proud to support and promote it as part of our international tourism marketing efforts.”
Tags: :Patricia de Lille, South Africa’s Tourism Olivier Perillat-Piratoine, Club Med South Africa
