September is
Tourism month and we had a look at various Tourism venues around Durban and
Umhlanga to see if they are ready for business now that certain regulations
have been lifted so that they may operate.
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| With inter-provincial travel allowed that means people from Cape Town, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Bloemfontein and other areas can now visit Durban and Umhlanga. | Image: Durban Tourism |
Umhlanga Life
visited well known tourism destinations in Durban and it was wonderful to see
how well they are being supported. All Covid-19 regulations are being adhered
to at various venues including Suncoast, uShaka Marine World, Circus Circus on
the beachfront and venues in Florida Road. There is plenty of hand sanitiser
available for people to keep their hands clean and there is signage to remind
people to social distance. Wearing of masks is a priority except when eating or
drinking. Please remember to wear your mask even when you visit a tourism
destination.
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| Ethekwini Mayor Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda, accompanied by tourism officials, conducted an oversight visit in Umhlanga recently to ensure that safety protocols are adhered to as the City reopens its tourism sector. | Image: eThekwini Municipality |
‘’We enter Tourism Month with boosted confidence,’’ said eThekwini Mayor, Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda recently.
He reminded
residents to adhere to safety regulations and this includes wearing a mask when
out in public, washing their hands frequently with soap or sanitiser while
maintaining good social distancing.
Ethekwini Mayor
Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda said entertainment hubs such as Florida Road and
Chartwell Drive in uMhlanga Village as well as township hotspot establishments
are ready to host visitors in accordance to Covid-19 regulations.
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| Take advantage of specials at uShaka Marine World. | Image: uShaka Marine World |
‘’We look
forward to seeing the public enjoying spaces such as Moses Mabhida Stadium, the
beachfront, uShaka Marine World and the Oyster Box Hotel which recently took
third place in Trip Advisor’s best hotels in Africa,’’ said Mayor Kaunda.
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| Beaches such as Bronze Beach in Umhlanga are now open to the public to explore and exercise on. Image: Fred Felton |
‘’Tourism is
the life blood of Umhlanga without it our economy is drastically affected,’’
remarked Peter Rose Chairman of Umhlanga Tourism.
With these
new regulations it also means that you can explore parks, botanical gardens,
nature reserves and even exercise or do yoga on the beach. At present swimming
is not permitted. Strict protocols will be adhered to in all of these venues.
People in
South Africa are encouraged to visit and explore the City, to find out more
about Durban visit www.visitdurban.travel
or follow them on Facebook/Durban Tourism or Twitter and Instagram @dbntourism
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| Support the local tourism industry. | Image: Durban Tourism |
‘’Durban has so
much to offer both locals and visitors alike and now we need to support our
local tourism industry more than ever. So let’s visit our local tourism
attractions and take some time out to enjoy Durban’s great choice of
restaurants, coffee shops and food stalls. If you don’t have money to spend you
can still show your support by liking, sharing and commenting on the social media
posts of your favourite local hangouts’’ says Durban resident Tessa Buhrmann, a
travel writer and editor for Responsible Traveller digital magazine.
The impact of
Covid-19 on the tourism industry has been massive.
‘’Accommodation
occupancies have decreased from 70 percent to 46 percent, there has been a loss
in tourism spend of R2.4 billion,’’ said Deputy City Manager of Economic
Development and Planning Phillip Sithole.
Many major
events planned in the City have been cancelled. Around 10 000 people have
lost their jobs.
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| Visit Durban | Image: Fred Felton |
Ethekwini
Municipality recently launched their virtual destination programme, a campaign
that seeks to promote the City as a premier and popular tourist destination.
The City also
launched interventions to support the tourism industry, these include increased
grant funding to community tourism organisations, discounts on Municipal leases
in tourism areas such as the beachfront, re-categorisation of bed and
breakfasts and guesthouses, facilitating business support linkages and issuing
of filming permits with no charge.
‘’The
programme will assist in many ways. We believe this along with various
interventions will help ameliorate the impact of this pandemic,’’ said Winile
Mtungwa, Deputy Head of Durban Tourism.
Bed and
Breakfast and Guesthouse Establishments will receive a Covid-19 rebate to bring
their rates payable to the same level as residential.
For more info
visit: http://correspondence.durban.gov.za:200/
or visit a Customer Centre near you.
World Tourism
Day is on 27 September. This will also see the city’s iconic buildings being
lit up in a symbolic ceremony that will depict reigniting the tourism sector.
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| Vote for Durban in the 27th World Travel Awards | Image: eThekwini Municipality |
There is also
much to celebrate as eThekwini’s premium business and leisure attractions have
been nominated in the prestigious 27th World Travel Awards.
The City’s
four direct nominations are Africa’s Leading Business Travel Destination 2020,
Africa’s Leading City Destination 2020, Africa’s Leading Festival and Event
Destination 2020 as well as Africa’s Leading Meetings and Conferences
Destination 2020.
‘’The
announcement of our City’s nine nominations couldn’t have come at a better time.
This as we try to navigate our way out of a difficult period which has brought
about immense economic challenges for our City, particularly the tourism
sector,’’ said eThekwini Mayor Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda.
He urged the
people of eThekwini and the people of South Africa to support Durban and vote
in huge numbers.
Other
nominations include King Shaka International Airport for Africa’s Leading
Airport, Port of Durban for Africa's Leading Cruise Port, Durban landmark the
Hilton Hotel received two nominations for Africa’s Leading Hotel and Africa’s
Leading Business Hotel, Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre
was nominated for Africa’s Leading Meetings and Conferences Centres.
Voting is
open to the public now and closes Thursday 24 September.
Go to http://www.worldtravelawards.com/vote
to register and vote now.
For more information on how eThekwini Municipality is helping you visit: www.durban.gov.za
