Situated on Durban's Golden Mile, uShaka Marine World (USM) is Africa's largest marine theme park and home to the largest aquarium in the southern hemisphere. As the second most visited waterpark in the EMEA region it combines a kaleidoscope of offerings for all generations into a single attraction and destination.

Apart from being an iconic tourist attraction, uShaka Marine World plays an important role within the broader tourism sector as an economic engine and business success story in boost urban regeneration and economic development along Durban's Point Waterfront.

To date, uShaka Marine World has contributed more than R2 billion to the Gross Geographical Product (GGP) of Durban.

During the 2017/18 financial year, uShaka has:
• Welcomed a total of over 3 million visitors.
• Recorded a footfall of 1 525 644 at Village walk which is home to 72 retail businesses.
• Contributed R544 million in direct expenditure to KZN and an additional R533.1 million through indirect and induced impacts, bringing the total contribution to KZN's GDP to R1.1 billion
• Generated R543.8 million in direct expenditure within eThekwini Municipality, resulting in a total contribution to eThekwini's GDP to R915.5 million.
• Sustained 2 227 temporary/permanent annualised jobs.

A Must See Attraction
uShaka's wide range of entertainment and leisure outdoor activities are aimed at all generations and at both the international and domestic tourism markets. These include everything from adrenaline pumping water slides at Wet 'n Wild to fun and games at uShaka Kids World to an 'up close and personal' experience at uShaka Sea Animal Encounter Island. In addition, uShaka is popular for its dolphin shows, its Dangerous Creatures exhibit, the Chimp & Zee Rope Adventure Park, a range of restaurants and fast food outlets, its Village Walk retail centre and a variety of parties and adventures that ugment big city events.

Tourism with a Conscience
In conjunction with the South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR), uShaka Marine World is a key African authority on marine conservation. A strong marine conservation message is integral to all events held at the park as well as the iconic SeaWorld aquarium. With its 22 million litre tanks, it is home to more than 300 species of marine life and 10 000 sea creatures.

In partnership with SAAMBR, uShaka's Green Ambass-adors Program subscribes to the United Nations 'Ten Guiding Principles' and seeks to enhance USM's reputation as an attraction of choice whilst increasing profits through goodwill. Activities supported by staff include effective usage of vehicles to reduce the carbon footprint, supporting local vendors and reducing usage of water and electricity.

In addition to spearheading important city wide conservation projects such as beach clean ups, uShaka is deeply committed to improving the quality of life of both its surrounding community and others around Durban. The annual Swimanathi provides important water safety education and teaches children from the nearby Addington Primary School to swim.

CSI projects also include the Ntenga Foundation where special walk/run events raise funds to buy school shoes. Visitors from a number of orphanages / old age homes are regularly hosted.

A Business Partner
Management has built strategic partnerships with key stakeholders within the city's broader tourism sector including Durban Tourism, Tourism KZN, KZN Film Commission, Ezemvelo Wildlife, Durban ICC, Moses Mabhida Stadium and Msinsi Resorts.

uShaka is an important mentor to emerging businesses within its supply chain. Many of these are tenants who provide critical services. This includes Village Walk, a 10 000m2 boutique shopping. Occupancy averaged 99% over the past year due to its unique location, high percentage of owner-operators and its regular new offerings which have included the Food Market (for small food traders) and the Craft Market, which incubates some ten to twelve small entrepreneurs. Many participants have become fully fledged shop owners in their own right.

A Stakeholder with a Future
uShaka will play an integral part in Durban's future tourism offering as it continues to drive growth within the Durban Point Waterfront Development and Inner City through working closely with the new Durban Cruise Terminal and other key stakeholders.

uShaka is about to embark on a recapitalisation phase. Assets will be upgraded and new and exciting attractions introduced via investments by its shareholders as well as public private sector partnerships. A total of R300 million is expected to be invested over the next 20 years.

Recent Highlights
uShaka is proud to have received clean audits for six consecutive years.

Over the years, uShaka is extremely proud to have won a number of awards and been recognised by both the public and business leaders for its high standard of service and value for money tourism offering.

The latest awards include a Certificate of Excellence, earning uShaka a place in the TRIPADVISOR Hall of Fame 2019, the Lilizela Award 2017 for Marine Experience and for Best KZN Visitor Experience 2018, KZN's Top Brand 2018 and Best Tourism Brand 2017, 3rd place in the Sunday Times Generation Next 2018 for the 6th consecutive year, Trip Adviser ranks as #1 attraction out of 118 in Durban. uShaka's CEO won the Regional Business Achiever Award from the Businesswomen's Association of South Africa in 2017.