eThekwini’s tourism strategy delivers results
More than 186 000 visitors flocked to Durban in early 2025, boosting the city’s economy with more than R750m in tourism spend thanks to revitalised efforts by the municipality.
ETHEKWINI’S tourism revitalisation strategy is paying off, with the municipality seeing a sharp rise in visitor numbers and a strong economic boost from both international and domestic travel.
According to the latest figures released by the Research and Data Unit of South African Tourism — presented at the eThekwini Presidential Working Group’s Strategic Planning Workshop this week — Durban welcomed more than 186 000 additional visitors between January and May 2025 when compared to the same period last year.
The combined tourism spend during this period exceeded R750m , a figure the City attributes to its focused recovery efforts and refreshed visitor offerings. The Easter period alone contributed R115.9m, reflecting a 48% year-on-year increase in economic impact.
City Manager Musa Mbhele praised the growth as a sign of momentum. He said, “Durban is not only bouncing back; we are setting the pace for tourism recovery in South Africa. We’re committed to enhancing visitor experiences and ensuring Durban thrives as a world-class destination for both leisure and business travel.”
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On the domestic front, Durban recorded 2.8 million trips, generating a remarkable R4.8b in total spending. Municipal spokesperson Gugu Sisilana said April’s Easter holidays saw a 52% increase in domestic spend, with May outperforming April at R844m — a 50% jump month-on-month.
“A key highlight is the surge in visitors from Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Tshwane, confirming Durban’s position as a top leisure destination among South Africa’s major metros,” said Sisilana.
Retail and dining emerged as the top-performing categories, reflecting the dominance of leisure-driven travel. While hotels remain a strong option, many domestic tourists are now opting for shared or self-catering accommodation, indicating shifting travel preferences.
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