R60 million pours into tourism industry over Easter weekend
The local economy received a boost with direct spending at approximately R60 million and a GDP contribution of around R150 million.
WITH an influx of 45 000 visitors to Durban over the Easter weekend, the City has reported a much-needed economic injection and relief into the tourism industry.
According to eThekwini Mayor, Cllr Mxolisi Kaunda, the hospitality industry saw hotel occupancy rates peak at an average 60 per cent.
The local economy received a boost with direct spending at approximately R60 million and a GDP contribution of around R150 million, with a total 320 actualised jobs over this period.
Also read: City of Durban responds to reports of financial difficulty
“Durban has been working hard since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic to ensure the tourism and hospitality industry remains visitor ready within the necessary health guidelines. We have been on an aggressive marketing campaign in order to ensure that we remain top of mind as a tourism destination and these numbers are proving that we are on the right track,” said Kaunda.
He said Durban’s beachfront promenade, restaurants around the City and the township establishments were among the most popular attractions for holidaymakers.
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“The City has invested over R33 million in developing and maintaining this key asset (beach promenade) as part of its Economic Recovery Plan, which focused on reinvigorating the domestic tourism sector. This investment as well as other existing initiatives, including the recently announced Blue Flag beaches, paves the way for eThekwini to dominate and grow domestic tourism, an extremely important contributor to our local employment and economy,” Kaunda concluded.
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