Durban July figures ‘smoking’
Race day draws droves of big spenders, boosting city coffers
GREYVILLE racecourse is on track to host thousands of racing fans and socialites who will pour into Durban for the 121st running of the Vodacom Durban July on Saturday.
Visitors will come from around the country, boosting the regional economy by about R260million on race day.
Durban Tourism reported strong demand at hotel and bed and breakfast establishments as the city was hosting a string of other high-profile holiday festival events at the same time.
Air travel in and out of Durban peaked last week with fashion previews and retailers doing a roaring trade.
Popular restaurants and bars were also expected to record good turnover.
Philip Sithole, the head of Durban Tourism, said with another sell-out crowd predicted for Greyville Racecourse next Saturday, his organisation’s projections were for direct spending by participants and spectators of R133.3m.
The overall economic impact on Durban’s gross domestic product was expected to total R259.8m.
“The July promotes Durban and Kwazulu-natal as a premier event destination not only in South Africa but globally.
“This hallmark event increases domestic arrivals and spending, as well as tourism’s contribution to GDP. It creates and sustains jobs for Durbanites,” he added.
He said the event brought businesses in suburbs and townships to life. “The July has served as a catalyst in promoting townships and Durban Tourism aims to ensure townships become part of the tourism mainstream,” said Sithole.
He said pre- and post-race activities and side events took place at venues in townships, which led to more sales and jobs.
Sithole said the city would spend more than R100m on the event.
Gold Circle marketing executive Graeme Hawkins said there was a guaranteed Pick Six pool of R10m, which was expected to reach R11m. There was also a guaranteed Quartet pool of R13m, which was likely to reach R15m.
Hawkins said there would be place payouts on the first six placed horses and the pool for this bet was expected to reach R8m.