Beach closures around Durban ’has negative impact on tourism’
The Umhlanga Tourism Association says the closure of beaches is having a negative impact on tourism.
This comes after the ongoing water quality problems that have led the municipality to stop water activities at beaches, south of the city.
The latest to be shut include, including Ansteys and Amanzimtoti Main after tests revealed the quality of water falling short of safety standards.
Chairperson of the association Duncan Heafield says this has similar effects of the pandemic on our tourism and economy.
READ: Durban’s southern beaches closed due to water quality
"Last year the beaches were closed for 241 days and currently the beaches opened and closed for almost 120 days.
"We have 100 days left of the year and if we continue at this rate its going to have a devastating effect on the tourism trade from the school holiday period going forward into the new year."
Heafield says it also impacts on the locals.
"The beach employs hundreds of life savers, surf and rescue, there is a whole precinct of employees that are affected by the beach closures. People are without jobs at the moment until this situation is resolved."
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