This is the fourth largest sector and it includes wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles, personal and household goods, accommodation establishments some of which would fall within a category of informal economy.
Tourism is recognised as one of the significant economic contributors. The competitive advantage of this sector is the presence of the Royal Palaces, Umhlanga Reed Dance and the availability of beautiful scenery, wildlife, monumental places and forests that harbour rich bio diversity. The current offering in tourism is primarily focussed on cultural tourism relating to the King and the Zulu Culture.
The tourism sector is not properly marketed due to the following constraints:
- Financial constraints within the municipality which has resulted in the failure to establish a viable tourism desk to plan and executive some tourism related projects identified to date;
- Lack of support for the tourism association and the members have not met in a long time.
- The road linking the Nongoma Municipality with other tourism places is not conducive to effective tourism; and
- Lack of the tourism marketing strategy.