Durban is gearing up for a bumper summer season and is ready to welcome travellers.

 

On 16 September, eThekwini Mayor Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda, together with Durban Tourism and other role-players in the sector showcased the City’s readiness to welcome thousands of visitors to eThekwini during the summer season.

 

The Durban Summer Travel Extravaganza was launched at one of the City’s attractions nested in the northern parts of Durban and overlooking Inanda Dam, the luxurious Octavia Boutique Hotel in Inanda. Attendees, including members of the media and stakeholders were treated to helicopter rides and hot air balloons and enjoyed scenic views of Inanda.

 

Outlining the City’s readiness for the summer season, Mayor Kaunda said: “We are anticipating just over 900 000 visitors to Durban for the summer season and expect a double increase of foreign visitors as compared to last year now that international airlines are open. In the 2021/2022 summer season – with the aftermath of the pandemic, the riots and the floods, we were at 49 percent occupancy rate, compared to 2019/20 of 71 percent occupancy rate.  This coming summer season, we are anticipating an occupancy rate of 60 percent, especially with the opening of new hotels such as the Octavia and Radisson Blu in Umhlanga.”

 

The 2022/2023 festive season projections, from 1 December to 16 January, indicates that with a total of 312 000 visitors, the direct spend expected is R48 million, injecting a total GDP of R1.2 billion and creating about 2 500 jobs. 

 

A robust destination promotion campaign is already underway to showcase the City’s readiness for the summer season and drive even more travellers into Durban.

 

The City is currently showcasing its rich heritage for those who want to experience township and rural tourism products through several roadshows and digital activations and competitions underway this month as part of ‘My City, My Heritage’ campaign. This includes hosting discounted tours to markets aimed at showcasing local cuisines, museums and art galleries throughout September as it is both Tourism and Heritage month. The campaign’s primary call to action is the rediscovery of Durban through heritage tourism and for people to tour their own City.

 

Mayor Kaunda said in addition to the beaches, there are other attractions that our visitors can enjoy like shopping, hiking, quad biking, visiting our parks and nature reserves.  “Our night life and culinary tourism remains one of the best in South Africa. However, we must also be able to highlight activities available on the beach promenade like segways, jogging, cycling and the diverse restaurants to choose from.”

 

Mayor Kaunda concluded by stating that despite the pandemic’s impact on the tourism industry, the City has an opportunity to revive its tourism sector. “Let us use the “My City, My Heritage” campaign’s digital platforms to tell the world that we are ready to welcome visitors. Get involved, tour your own City and become your own City’s tourism ambassador.”

 

To stay updated on tourism related programmes, follow @DBNTourism across all social media platforms or go to: visitdurban.travel

 

ENDS

 

Issued by the eThekwini Municipality’s Communications Unit. For media enquiries, kindly contact Mayoral Spokesperson Mluleki Mntungwa on 060 974 1140.