THE City is buzzing ahead of the Hollywoodbets Durban July with an anticipated 45 000 visitors descending for the horseracing event. The Hollywoodbets Durban July remains one of our signature events that has the power to bring together South Africans and visitors from across the continent as well as abroad. This period also presents an opportunity for us to showcase Durban as a destination of choice and to promote the unique tourism and hospitality products we offer. Durban is affectionately known as the “warmest place to be” due to our all year-long warm weather as well as the warmth and hospitality of residents. We extend our warmest welcome to everyone attending this year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July.

We have worked tirelessly with all stakeholders to ensure visitors have a memorable experience. We have implemented safety measures to ensure the event and related activities go off seamlessly. The City has pulled out all the stops to ensure a safe and unforgettable experience. There are also several planned side events that are guaranteed to be the talk of the town. We are expecting 45 000 visitors to Durban. Accommodation occupancy rates are at an impressive 78 percent. The direct spend is estimated at R271 million, with a total of R670 million contribution to the eThekwini GDP with 5 000 jobs to be created. Durban as a tourist destination is overflowing with choices. From our beautiful beaches, rich cultural diversity, world class facilities, and fine dining… Durban definitely has more!

The Hollywoodbets Durban July is just one of our exclusive offerings which has proven Durban’s diverse entertainment capacity beyond a reasonable doubt. We wish to thank all our partners, sponsors, and stakeholders for contributing towards making Africa’s greatest horseracing event one of the major highlights on the City’s events calendar. We are especially grateful to Hollywoodbets for their vision and foresight to carry this brand into the future. As the City, we will continue to partner with event organisers to market the destination.

The Hollywoodbets Durban July is just one of these strategic events that continue to put Durban on the global map. Themed ‘Ride the Wave’, this year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July promises to be just as exciting as previous years with a variety of fashion on display. The theme compliments one of our signature tourism products, our beautiful beaches. We are pleased that there are several side events and activations planned throughout the weekend. This will allow more people to participate in the festivities of this exciting weekend. We join millions of eThekwini residents in extending a warm welcome to all our visitors. We hope you enjoy your stay this Durban July Grand weekend and beyond. And our hope is that once you’ve had a taste of all Durban has to offer, you will come back for more. For more information on things to do in Durban visit www. visitdurban.travel or follow @ DBNTourism across all social media platforms.