Xaba says millions pumped into Durban GDP this festive season
eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba says figures from the festive season point to a strong and steady tourism demand.
Xaba says it’s exciting for Durban to record a bumper festive season, matching levels last seen before the COVID-19 pandemic.
"From 1-21 December, approximately 873,000 people visited our beaches. On Reconciliation Day, an estimated 100,000 visitors enjoyed our beaches, making it the busiest day in recent history," he says.
Xaba says the city has also seen a strong turnout at key events and an increase in accommodation occupancy, tour operations and cruise passenger arrivals.
The mayor was speaking at Durban’s North Beach Pier on Monday.
"From 1 December to date, we have received 490,152 visitors, hotel occupancy currently stands at 70% with a direct visitor spend of R1.8 billion and an estimated contribution of over R6 billion to the city's GDP."
He adds that while Durban is well known for its warm beaches, many visitors have also come to enjoy a variety of attractions and events hosted across the city.
Xaba says the total recorded attendance at 11 signature events currently stands at 83,000, with a projected additional 61,000 attendees expected between late December and early January.
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