‘eThekwini’s tourism report misleading’ – DA

THE Democratic Alliance (DA) in eThekwini stated a report that outlined the city’s improved tourism performance, tabled at a recent eThekwini Executive Committee meeting, is inaccurate and is not a true reflection of tourism performance in the province.

During the 2018/2019 festive season Durban saw an increase of 16 per cent, with 138 486 more visitors than in 2017/2018.

“The 16 per cent increase in visitors to Durban were mainly visitors from other provinces who attended the Fill Moses Mabhida event, the ANC January 8th statement/manifesto launch or one of the many events held by the city over the festive period,” said the DA’s eThekwini economic development and planning whip, Marlaine Nair.

Of the 138 486 more visitors that visited Durban, Nair reported that approximately 30 000 (31 per cent) attended the ANC manifesto launch, 6 000 (4.3 per cent) attended the Fill Moses Mabhida stadium event and 17 000 (12.3 per cent) attended the Telkom Derby.

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“Almost 50 per cent of the increased visitor total can be attributed to attendance at these three events or several others that received funding from the city’s coffers,” said Nair.

“The DA is concerned that the city has been more focused on holding events to increase the number of visitors to Durban, perpetuating the misconception that our tourism sector is thriving. Simply put we are paying people to visit Durban. This is not sustainable, we need to create a conducive environment for real growth,” she added.

Of the total number of visitors who contributed to eThekwini’s GDP during the festive season (379 349), 60 per cent were local residents and only 40 per cent were overnight visitors.

“We have not been significantly tapping into the foreign tourist market and have not been able to successfully attract foreign tourists that would stay longer and make a considerably greater contribution to eThekwini’s GDP, ultimately contributing toward much-needed job creation,” said Nair.