Tourism data shows Durban is expecting to welcome almost 800 000 visitors from December 1 to January 16, 2024 despite the closure of several sought-after beaches due to poor water quality. File Picture Leon Lestrade / Independent Newspapers.
Durban, known for its picturesque beaches, is gearing up for a surge in tourism despite the closure of several sought-after beaches due to poor water quality.
Current figures reveal a resilient tourism industry, defying recent challenges and positioning the coastal city for an influx of visitors during the festive season.
Projections indicate that Durban is set to welcome almost 800 000 visitors from December 1 to January 16, 2024.
In a joint statement, the eThekwini Municipality and BDO, a research company providing insights to Durban Tourism, disclosed a projected direct spend of more than R1,8 billion in “Destination Durban” during this period, aligning with an anticipated 75% occupancy rate in accommodation establishments.
The average visitor is expected to spend R2340, nearly double the amount spent in the 2021 festive season.
Leading the charge in this tourism surge are hotspots like the Oyster Box in uMhlanga, where hotel bookings have already reached 75%. The establishment has 75% occupancy until December 20 and 98% until January 8, 2024.
Holiday flats, including Breakers, Cabana Beach, and Umhlanga Sands, report over 80% occupancy, with many rooms booked a year in advance.
Gugu Sisilana, spokesperson for the eThekwini municipality, said the city had shown resilience in the face of Covid-19, the July unrest, and flood disasters, helped by the municipality's efforts to repair wrecked infrastructure. Those efforts were aided by R1.6 billion in disaster grant funding from the National Treasury.
Meanwhile, Economic Development, Tourism, and Environmental Affairs MEC Siboniso Duma voiced confidence in the province's ability to attract visitors, saying meetings had been held with mayors, municipal managers and tourism agencies throughout the year to look at how the tourism industry could stimulate local economies and create a "boom time" for the province.
Based on figures from Tourism KZN and the 2022 record-breaking holiday season turnout, the province expects a 69% occupancy over December, with 845 000 visitors, including 52000 international tourists. Duma projected a substantial contribution of around R3.6 billion to the provincial economy over the festive season.
Already, the iLembe district, encompassing popular spots like Ballito and Salt Rock, reports holiday accommodation bookings at 80%, anticipating full occupancy from December 15 to the first week of January 2024.