This festive season, Durban is pulling out all the stops to re-imagine itself as South Africa’s premier holiday destination. With bold initiatives to revitalise tourism and ensure a safer, more magical experience for all, the city is ready to dazzle visitors with its attractions and warm hospitality.

The City has worked tirelessly to address past challenges and elevate its offerings, with stabilised beach water quality, fully operational swimming pools, enhanced maintenance standards, and a robust safety strategy being among the improvements already made.

Durban is also introducing an array of safety measures to ensure a seamless experience for visitors. Metro police and other law enforcement agencies will maintain a strong presence at tourist hot spots, supported by 500 newly trained officers and more than 170 high-performance vehicles. Roads will be access-controlled, and a free park-and-ride system will shuttle beachgoers from the old drive-in site to the beachfront.

There will also be a packed events calendar to suit all tastes. Signature events include the Durban Jazz Festival and the much-anticipated Fact: Durban Rocks New Year’s Eve celebration. Other highlights include the newly launched Durban Beach Café, a vibrant addition to the city’s scenic coastline, and the arrival of the MSC Euribia and MSC Musica, kicking off the 2024/25 cruise season with thousands of international visitors.

The summer season is expected to provide a significant economic boost. Projections for 2024/2025 estimate over 1.3 million visitors, a 75% occupancy rate, R2.5 billion in direct spending, and R6.3 billion added to GDP, creating over 11000 new jobs.

eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba said they were excited for the upcoming season.

“We are thrilled to welcome visitors from across the globe. Durban is a city bursting with life, stunning coastlines, and warm hospitality. We invite you to rediscover the magic of Durban, support local businesses, and become ambassadors for this extraordinary city,” said Mr Xaba.

Thembi Sehloho, Chief Marketing Officer at South African Tourism, echoed the mayor’s sentiment.

“For many South Africans and international visitors, Durban and KwaZulu-Natal have always been iconic destinations. We are here to remind travellers that there is much to explore and to create memorable experiences,” he said.

With 21 pristine beaches, 30 public swimming pools, and vibrant hot spots from Umhlanga to Florida Road, Durban is rolling out the red carpet for holidaymakers.

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Durban unveils bold plans to become SA’s holiday hot spot