By Mandy Massy, Deputy Chair of FEDHASA KZN & Eastern Cape
This week marks the holiest period in the Catholic calendar, from Passion Sunday through to Easter Sunday – a time of pilgrimage, reflection, and spiritual connection observed across the world.
For KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape, it also presents a powerful opportunity to advance religious tourism as a meaningful and growing segment within our sector.
During this Holy Week, Mandy Massey, Deputy Chairperson of FEDHASA KZN and Eastern Cape, has engaged with the Bishops of the Mariannhill Monastery Diocese, positioning Mariannhill Monastery as a key partner in the next phase of collaboration with EDTEA and KZN Tourism and Film.
These discussions build on recent months of working alongside EDTEA to support the development of religious tourism, with a focus on the Trappist mission stations across KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape. They are laying the groundwork for structured, respectful, and sustainable tourism development — offering authentic experiences grounded in heritage, faith, and community.
Through this work, FEDHASA is leading the way, aligning accommodation providers, restaurants, and the broader hospitality sector with tourism operators and destination stakeholders to support and grow this important segment.
Call to Action
Religious tourism presents real opportunities for our members across accommodation, guiding, experiences, and community-based offerings.
We invite FEDHASA members to:
- Engage in this emerging segment
- Explore how your offering can align with pilgrimage and heritage routes
- Connect for partnership opportunities as we build this out collaboratively
This is where purpose meets opportunity, and where collaboration will drive meaningful growth.
