Sporting events give Durban economic boost

An influx of domestic tourism, fuelled by a lineup of local and international events, was a large contributing factor. 

In the past two weeks, the Tsogo Sun Amashova Cycle race, Nitro Circus, Currie Cup final and Telkom Knockout football matches have all seen people flock to the city. 

Durban Tourism's, Phillip Sithole says major events help create job opportunities in the city. 

"In terms of the economy, there was more than R250-million injected. This has helped people who are in the tourism industry as far as the sustainability of jobs. It is important that when we have events, they must inject economic growth but at the same time that growth must come with the sustainability of jobs and the creation of new jobs," he said.

Sithole says the sector is key to growing the economy.

"In the last 18 months, events have contributed to more than R3-billion into the economy, so they are the way to go. It's one of the very important sectors for the city to grow," he said.

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