The Socio-Economic Implications of Flagship Coastal Development Projects in South Africa beyond Covid-19: The Case of Ushaka Marine World in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal

The economic sectors faced a new version of catastrophe and obstacle, as had never been seen before with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this paper was to assess the lockdown implications on tourism economic development in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, using uShaka Marine World as the area of research. The paper adopted qualitative research design and was anchored on the Magic Pentagon Theory. According to the research findings, the COVID-19 pandemic caused the uShaka Marine World coastal development flagship to go into dormancy, causing the loss of income and employees switching to other sectors in search for better economic opportunities. The findings of this paper offer constructive advice to government officials, academics, and other stakeholders in tourism agencies and developmental corridors to adopt the country's Reconstruction and Recovery Plan.