Big events in Durban boost local economy
The City explains how big events boost the local economy while creating temporary employment.
THE eThekwini Municipality has released a statement on the impact the election manifesto of the ANC had on the city’s economy, stating that the eThekwini Municipality continues to be the leading and preferred destination for hosting major events.
According to the City, the iconic Moses Mabhida Stadium successfully hosted the Mayihlome Rally, the election manifesto launch of the African National Congress (ANC) on February 24.
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The event attracted an estimated 110 000 visitors to eThekwini, who enjoyed various attractions, including visits to the popular beachfront promenade. Of this total number, according to the City, 2 200 were foreign visitors, 46 200 were domestic overnight visitors and 61 600 were day visitors, which also included residents.
eThekwini mayor Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda said major events significantly boost tourism in multiple ways.
“Over this past weekend, an estimated R297 million was injected into the City’s economy while the direct and indirect contribution to the Gross Domestic Product was R734 million. The short-term and long-term employment created was around 1 324,” he said.
The ANC manifesto launch comes after the stadium recently hosted another successful manifesto launch of the Economic Freedom Fighters on February 10. The City’s multi-purpose stadium was planned for 70 000 people, excluding the overflow at People’s Park, and is now gearing up for the Inkatha Freedom Party manifesto launch taking place next month.
Mayor Kaunda said eThekwini is the home of big events as the city has the necessary world-class infrastructure.
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In a statement, Mayor Kaunda said, “To continue attracting big events that boost local tourism and position Durban as a destination of choice, we will continue with our drive of partnering with event organisers that share the same vision and objectives as we do. We do this through our marketing wing, Durban Tourism, and by annually advertising event partnerships so that we can work together to attract visitors to eThekwini,” he said.
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