EThekwini gearing for visitors
DESPITE the closure of Durban’s most sought-after beaches due to poor water quality results, the eThekwini Municipality is gearing up for an unprecedented surge in tourism, with current figures showcasing a robust industry despite the challenges.
Projections indicate that the city is set to welcome a staggering 792 410 visitors from December 1 to January 16.
The municipality said that in collaboration with BDO, a reputable research company providing insights to Durban Tourism, the city projected a direct spend of R1 854 592 701 into Destination Durban during this festive season.
The figures align with the anticipated 75% occupancy rate in accommodation establishments.
Employment figures are projected to surge to 8 809 – an increase from the previous two years, and an average visitor is expected to spend R2 340 – almost double what was spent in the 2021 festive season.
Tourism hot spots such as the Oyster Box in uMhlanga are leading the charge, with hotel bookings already reaching 75%. Notably, the establishment has revealed a 75% occupancy until December 20, and 98% bookings until January 8.
Holiday flats, including Breakers, Cabana Beach and Umhlanga Sands, are reporting over 80% occupancy, with demand so high that many rooms were booked a year in advance. The popularity extends to four-and six-sleeper rooms, owned by various individuals, all of which are projected to be fully occupied throughout December.
eThekwini Municipality spokesperson, Gugu Sisilana, said despite recent challenges such as the impact of Covid-19, the July unrest and the floods, Durban managed to maintain its status as a preferred tourist destination.
“The city's resilience is evident in the efforts of the municipality, which has diligently worked to repair severely damaged infrastructure, even with a limited budget. The recent approval of a substantial R1.6 billion Municipal Disaster Grant Funding by the National Treasury is set to further expedite the ongoing infrastructure repair initiatives,” said Sisilana.
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Siboniso Duma, said he was confident that there would be an influx of people to the province.
He said he had meetings throughout the year with mayors, municipal managers and tourism agencies to ensure the festive season translated into a “boom-time for the province”.
He said based on figures from Tourism KZN and the 2022 record-breaking holiday season turnout, the province was expecting a 69% occupancy over December, and about 845 000 visitors of which 52 000 would be international tourists.
“The expected contribution to our provincial economy over the festive season will be around R3.6 billion,” said Duma.
He said plans were in place to ensure that local economies were stimulated through the tourism industry.
The iLembe district is reporting that holiday accommodation bookings are at 80% and they expect to be fully booked from December 15 to the first week of January.
Duma said visitors to the district, which includes hot spots such as Ballito and Salt Rock, had already spent R2.2 billion.
“This translated into a R3.4 billion overall contribution to the province’s GDP. Tourism supported 7 255 jobs and contributed R816 million to local household incomes,” said Duma.