THE recent ranking by Time Out Worldwide which placed eThekwini (Durban) on the 14^th spot in the top 20 world destinations to visit in 2026, has been widely welcomed by the local business sector, which has urged for further collaborations to improve the City’s standing and the overall tourism industry.

Restaurateurs, Zohra Teke and Edward Padi Tettey, are in agreement with the observations made by Time Out South Africa content director Andrew Hallet on the city’s “charm” being its “climate and culture”, making it a “unique” tourist destination “gem”.

Teke, of Sofra Istanbul Florida on Florida Road, said the ranking is a welcomed “validation” which, however, is “not surprising”.

“Durban is South Africa’s hidden gem which we as residents and businesses have always been proud of, despite all our challenges,” said Teke.

Tettey, the owner of Col’Cacchio on Florida Road, said the 14^th  spot placement in the top 20 tourist destinations globally, “is a significant achievement” which “affirms” what is commonly known within the hospitality and lifestyle industry, that “Durban has a unique energy, culture, climate, and diversity”.

“That makes it incredibly attractive both locally and internationally,” said Tettey.

Teke said it was unfortunate that certain “challenges often overshadowed the positives of our city”, resulting in Cape Town taking the lead in terms of marketing.

“The accolade now needs to translate into tourism partnerships amongst stakeholders so Durban is not skipped as a destination for hospitality and the local economy to benefit,” said Teke.

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Tettey echoed Teke’s call for collaboration within the business sector, and among creatives, the media, and local government, saying this would strengthen “the culture of Durban”.

“Cross-promotion, partnerships, consistent events, and unified marketing efforts all help position the city as a destination rather than just a stopover,” said Tettey.

In Tettey’s view, the following pointers could improve the city’s ranking as a tourist destination:

• More co-ordinated marketing between hospitality businesses and tourism bodies
• Continued investment in safety and visible urban management
• Support for local entrepreneurs and creative industries
• Consistent lifestyle programming that gives visitors a reason to extend their stay
• Greater promotion of Florida Road and similar precincts as curated cultural districts

“From a business perspective, this recognition boosts confidence. It strengthens Durban’s brand globally, which ultimately benefits restaurants, accommodation establishments, event organisers, and tourism-driven businesses like mine. When a city receives international recognition, it drives curiosity and foot traffic. Visitors are more likely to explore local restaurants, attend events, and engage with the culture,” said Tettey.

Stephen Wimborne, commercial director at Blue Security, is of the view that ensuring increased safety and security would maintain the confidence of the City’s visitors.

Wimborne said the ranking “is a strong endorsement of the city’s growing global appeal and economic momentum”.

“For Blue Security, increased tourism means increased responsibility. A thriving tourism sector brings more foot traffic to beaches, restaurants, hotels, retail spaces and entertainment venues, making visible, responsive and technology-driven security even more important in maintaining visitor confidence. We work closely with residential communities, businesses and commercial hubs to ensure that both locals and tourists experience Durban as a safe, welcoming and well-managed destination, and continued collaboration between private security, law enforcement and the municipality will be key to strengthening that reputation even further,” said Wimborne.

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