Durban is gearing up for a massive Easter tourism boom, with Mayor Cyril Xaba setting ambitious goals to attract 60% more visitors this Easter, promising a vibrant holiday experience and significant economic benefits. Schools are out and the Easter holiday season is in, and it has the leadership at the eThekwini Municipality filled with anticipation, as their projections indicate that 1.2 million visitors are expected to visit the city, which will provide an estimated R2.6 billion injection into the local economy.
Tourism Sector Revitalisation
During a press briefing on Sunday to outline Durban’s “state of readiness” for the Easter holidays, Mayor Cyril Xaba announced that the city aims to attract 60% more visitors during the upcoming Easter holidays than it did before the pandemic. Xaba and his team’s optimism about visitor numbers stems from the already significant increase in visitor turnout for the current holiday season, which surpasses last year’s statistics for this period. To ensure an enjoyable experience, Xaba said greater attention and effort had been invested in safety, infrastructure, and enhanced marketing efforts, as part of the city’s bid to revitalise Durban’s tourism sector.
According to the Western Cape Government’s tourism market trends, tourism is a significant contributor to the South African economy. Xaba also urged local stakeholders and businesses to collaborate in order to improve visitor numbers. He said Durban’s tourism potential was immense. “We see our city as having a competitive advantage; we compete with no one, not even Cape Town, which lacks the data that we have.”
Preparations and Attractions
In affirming his call for a thriving tourism sector for the overall benefit of the city, Xaba said: “You must grow the economy to tackle the challenges you face.” As part of the city’s preparation for the Easter holidays, Xaba said comprehensive plans are in place to ensure the safety of the many local and international guests expected. He said the multi-agency law enforcement task force is set to deploy over 1,000 police officers to maintain high visibility at hotspots, particularly on the roads, beaches, and entertainment venues around the city.
Some of the attractions and events visitors can anticipate include family-friendly programmes at local parks such as uShaka Marine World and the botanical gardens. The ‘One Man Complex’ concert and Mandisi Dyantyis Symphonic Celebration, featuring several prominent artists, promise to be highlights of the festive period. Here are some of the key events and attractions:
- Family-friendly programmes at local parks
- uShaka Marine World
- Botanical gardens
- The ‘One Man Complex’ concert
- Mandisi Dyantyis Symphonic Celebration
For more information on Durban’s tourism sector, visit the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism website.</p)
