eThekwini promises clean, safe city as thousands arrive for Durban July
The City is projecting an 80% hotel occupancy rate and a R700 million GDP contribution, creating 4 000 jobs.
Mayor Cyril Xaba announced an integrated safety plan to ensure high visibility and public safety during the event.
As Durban gears up for the glitz and glamour of its most anticipated social events, the Durban July, eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba has moved to reassure the public that the City is fully prepared to host the high-profile event.
Over 45 000 people are expected to be in attendance to watch the big race this Saturday.
Speaking during the media launch at Westown Square in Shongweni, outside Durban, Xaba said thousands of visitors have already descended on the city for the prestigious event, which is renowned not just for its horse racing but also for its high fashion, entertainment and social buzz.
Xaba said they anticipate an 80% hotel occupancy rate as over 45 000 local and international visitors will attend the event.
The mayor added that they are also projecting R278 million of direct spend and close to R700 million contribution to the GDP, which will create over 4 000 jobs.
These projections underscore the importance of this event in growing the economy of the city, said Xaba.
'We want to assure our visitors that they will be coming to a city that is clean, which demonstrates the efforts we are putting to turnaround eThekwini Municipality,' he stressed.
Xaba said the City's law enforcement agencies have developed an integrated safety plan, supported by the private security industry.
'Therefore, visitors are guaranteed a safe stay in the city with high police visibility, particularly around the Greyville precinct and other strategic sites across the municipality,' he said.
Xaba added that as part of reviving tourism in the city, he would be meeting key roleplayers in the tourism industry including the hospitality sector.
Through this meeting, Xaba said they will work together to develop a common programme of enhancing visitors' experience in the city.
'This will also assist us to gain insight on their future development plans and ensure that we are aligned.'
He added:
My view is that Durban has a great tourism potential that needs to be unleashed and the City cannot do it alone. We want to strengthen collaboration with the private sector-people who are owning tourism products.
The City said it was also looking into how it can invest more resources including setting aside a budget to improve tourism infrastructure.
Xaba told the media that they have started with catalytic projects by allocating R600 million annually to improve bulk infrastructure.
'Through this intervention, the City continues to attract multi-billion rands of investment in catalytic projects,' said Xaba.
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