WATCH: Durban ready to host 42 000 visitors this Easter weekend
42000 visitors are expected with a direct projected spend of R61million.
ETHEKWINI Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda outlined the city’s readiness to host thousands of visitors who are set to flock to Durban this Easter weekend.
Speaking at a walkabout held on the beach today, Kuanda said the city has invested R33 million in a project to maintain eThekwini’s beachfront.
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The project seeks to develop and maintain the beachfront as a key asset that contributes significantly to the local tourism sector, job creation and the economy.
This was revealed by Mayor Kaunda as he welcomed tourists to Durban on Thursday, 1 April.
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“The city has invested millions of Rand in the facility to ensure that we have a world class recreational facility for people to enjoy when they visit Durban,” he said.
The Beachfront Public Space Management project will augment the good work currently being done by the municipality’s Parks and Cleaning and Solid Waste Departments on the beachfront, and ensure that the beachfront is kept in good condition throughout the year while creating employment and skills development for 95 people.
The project is valued at over R33 million for a period of three years. The project includes carrying out maintenance in landscaping, irrigation, coastal dune maintenance, beachfront fencing maintenance and, sand drift removal of the promenade.
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Kaunda explained, “Last year, 12 beaches within the eThekwini Municipality were awarded the National Blue Flag status. This initiative will ensure that our beaches maintain their Blue Flag status. It will also assist us to keep our environment clean. The Public Space Management project will encourage and attract domestic and international visitors to the city’s biggest tourist attraction.”
Mayor Kaunda introduced the Easter holidays theme – Rediscover Durban Safely saying that Durban is ready, willing and able to make your holiday break a safe and memorable one, with world-class tourism and leisure options in and around the city.
“We have gone on an aggressive media campaign to market the city in various key source markets. These campaigns are aimed at ensuring increased brand visibility and to ensure that Durban remains top of mind for potential visitors, both locally and abroad. In terms of the Socio-economic impact, the occupancy rates is estimated to be around 55 percent. Around 42 000 visitors are expected with a direct projected spend of R61 million. It is expected that there would be a R151 million contribution to the GDP with 325 employment opportunities created over the Easter weekend,” said Mayor Kaunda.
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Mayor Kaunda concluded, “Durban is ready and open for business. We encourage visitors to come to our city and enjoy their holiday within the confines of the Covid-19 protocols. We have developed an integrated plan encompassing the element of law enforcement to ensure that our visitors are safe wherever they are. Our Metro Police will be also on high alert to ensure general safety and that visitors comply with Covid-19 safety protocols.”
About 170 lifeguards, 25 law enforcement officers, 18 safety protection officers and 34 beach guards will be deployed in South, Central, Bluff and North beaches to ensure safety of bathers.
As the Easter holidays begin, visitors are assured that professionally trained lifeguards will be on duty from 2 to 5 April, working from 6am to 6pm.
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