Durban - Cosmopolitan Hub of Commerce and Culture

As the event nears closer, we’ve rounded up some interesting facts on everything you should know about Durban and Kwa-Zulu Natal.

1. Two UNESCO world heritage sites are located in KwaZulu-Natal – the majestic uKhahlamba- Drakensberg mountain range, which boast the greatest concentration of San Bushman rock art in South Africa, as well as the iSimangaliso Wetland Park which was also South Africa’s first heritage site.

2. In 1962 Nelson Mandela was captured and arrested in the town of Howick and thus began his 27 years of incarceration. Mandela returned to KwaZulu-Natal to begin a new journey when he chose to cast his first vote here as a free man in 1994.

3. The world’s tallest bungee swing is found at the Moses Mabhida Stadium (Guinness Book of Records, 14 May 2011).

4. Mahatma Ghandi began his career as a political and social activist here.

5. The Gateway Theatre of Shopping, situated in the Northern Durban suburb Umhlanga, is the largest shopping mall in Africa and the Southern Hemisphere.

6. The Hluhluwe Umfolozi game reserve is Africa’s oldest game park, which also has the Big 5.

7. KwaZulu-Natal was the homeland of the great King Shaka, the founder of the Zulu nation. The current Zulu monarch, King Goodwill Zwelithini resides in the province.

8. uShaka Marine World, in Durban, is the world’s 5th largest aquarium and the biggest in Africa

9. Albert Luthuli, the first African and person from outside Europe, to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize was born here.

10. Aliwal Shoal is internationally recognised as one of the top 10 dive sites in the world and is just half an hour outside Durban.

World Routes 2015 will take place from 19 - 22 September 2015 in Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal and is expetced to attract almost 3,000 delegates from over 110 countries, including the most senior representatives from airlines, airports and tourism authorities, who wish to meet, plan and discuss new and existing global air services.

Register now to attend the unrivalled platform for route development professionals and see for yourself all that Kwa-Zulu Natal has to offer.