Tourism brings R40-million ‘fresh Rands’ into local economy

Statistics released by Tourism Dundee reveal that tourism brought in R40-million into the local economy in 2016.
Speaking at Tourism Dundee’s annual general meeting, chairman Naresh Gopie, said this is a ‘very conservative figure’ as, sadly, not all accommodation establishments heeded the request to submit bed-night figures.
“We calculated that there were 60 000 bed nights sold in our area in 2016 and using an accepted formula drawn up by SA Tourism we calculated what the total spend was.” This is down on previous years but this falls in line with a general trend due to the worldwide economic conditions.
Statistics by KZN Tourism reveal a sharp decline in international visitors to the battlefields. From 2006-2009, 17 173 – the majority from the UK – toured the battlefields. However, from 2014 to present, there have only been 3 508 international visitors.
The decline has been slightly offset by an increase in the number of domestic tourists – 6 220 from 1998-2001 up to 10 817 from 2010-2013.
Mr Gopie said Tourism Dundee’s volunteer committee had worked hard over the past year to market the town at various national trade shows including the Getaway Show, Gauteng, the KZN Travel and Adventure Show in Durban while brochures were also sent to the Cape Getaway Show.

“There has also been a lot of effort put in to market Talana Live in October which will hopefully fill up our local establishments.” Turning to the Dundee July Horse Riding Event, Mr Gopie said it was ‘disturbing that the Department of Sport and Recreation had made unfounded allegations that accommodation establishments had purposely increased their tariffs over that period to cash in’.
“We reacted immediately and our members rejected this. However, what we did find is that some of our members have to increase their security over the Dundee July weekend as unruly guests sometimes bring in extra, illegal guests and sometimes even vandalise the facilities. We hope the organisers of this event, which does bring so much money into our economy, attend to this concern.”
Mr Gopie said the committee would continue to strive to make the Endumeni area ‘the preferred destination for visitors’. He thanked the Umzinyathi and Endumeni Municipalities for their continued support.
The committee was also pleased to welcome four new members, John da Silva, Lihle Malinga, Nikita Bugden and Sifiso Sibiya, who will join the other volunteers to ensure that Tourism Dundee continues to boost the local economy.