South Africa will soon boast not one but two Club Med properties in KwaZulu-Natal, offering their all-inclusive packages to the local MICE market.
The R2 billion Club Med Tinley development of both properties – a beach resort and a safari lodge – is scheduled to start next year, with the opening planned for July 2026.
Beachside paradise
With more than 300 days of sunshine a year, the beach resort in Tinley Manor, north of Ballito and on the Dolphin Coast, will offer guests access to 32 acres of unspoiled scenery along this stretch of golden coastline.
All these amenities, along with accommodation, meals and beverages, will be rolled into a single price tag.
In addition to 342 Premium rooms and 64 Exclusive Collection suites, guests will be able to enjoy an all-inclusive range of land and water activities, and access to a wellness centre, pool, bar and all-day dining. All these amenities, along with accommodation, meals and beverages, will be rolled into a single price tag.
Those staying in the Exclusive Collection zone will also be able to enjoy complimentary use of a gourmet lounge, zen pool, adults-only bar, gym, hammam (Turkish bath) and wellness centre.
The Big Five at its best
The Club Med Tinley safari lodge will be in Zululand, a three-and-a-half-hour drive from the resort, or a 40-minute flight by charter plane. Situated within an 8 623-hectare private game reserve, guests will have the opportunity to observe abundant wildlife, including the Big 5, during complimentary daily game drives and guided bush walks.
Find out more about Club Med Tinley here.
A first for South Africa
Club Med currently operates close to 70 resorts in 40 countries, including Mauritius, Morocco, Senegal, Seychelles and Tunisia in Africa. Club Med Tinley will be the first Club Med product in South Africa.
“My hope is that even if we achieve 20% of what [Club Med has] done in Mexico, we’re [South Africa] in for a wonderful ride because the success story is second to none.”
The development is a joint venture between Club Med and Collins Residential, one of southern Africa’s largest property and eco-tourism enterprises, and is being financed by Absa, African Bank and the Industrial Development Corporation.
Murray Collins, CEO of Collins Residential, says that the hope is that Club Med will help to grow South Africa’s tourism sector much as it did for Cancún in Mexico in 1976. He says, “Everyone knows what Cancún has become and what it has meant to Mexico. My hope is that even if we achieve 20% of what [Club Med has] done in Mexico, we’re [South Africa] in for a wonderful ride because the success story is second to none.”
He also promises the new developments will be eco-friendly and deliver economic benefits to the local people.
In the upcoming issue of Meetings magazine, Daryl Keywood, CEO at Walthers DMC, notes that South Africa’s beaches don’t typically attract inbound incentive groups – but that a product such as Club Med could possibly change this. Subscribe to receive the magazine here, for the full article coming soon.
