Political parties in eThekwini are pointing fingers at each other for the decline in Durban’s tourism with the ANC saying tourism was impacted by negative publicity from opposition officials while the DA says mismanagement that caused issues such as beach closures due to sewage spills are to blame.

The eThekwini DA says it strongly disagrees with the remarks made mayor Mxolisi Kaunda in council about the effects of negative publicity from officials on the opposition bench.

Instead, the party says the decline in tourism in the city can be attributed to various significant issues, including the closure of beaches due to sewage pollution, high levels of crime, and several other factors that have been affecting the safety and wellbeing of tourists.

DA eThekwini deputy caucus leader Mzamo Billy blamed eThekwini mismanagement for the decline in tourism.

“It is common knowledge that the closure of beaches due to sewage pollution has had a detrimental impact on Durban’s tourism industry. The contamination of the coastline has resulted in an unattractive and unsafe environment for both locals and visitors. This issue has not only tarnished the city’s reputation but has also directly affected tourism revenue and visitor numbers.”

Billy says the fact that eThekwini has lost its Blue Flag status for several beaches is a clear indication of the deterioration in the city’s coastal environment.

“This loss has not only diminished the appeal of Durban’s beaches but has also raised concerns about water quality and safety for both locals and tourists,” he says.

Crime in Durban

He adds that the high levels of crime in Durban have also contributed to the negative perceptions that tourists may have.

“Incidents of theft, robbery, and other criminal activities have created an environment of insecurity, making tourists hesitant to visit or stay in the city.”

Billy says these problems need to be addressed comprehensively to improve the city’s appeal to visitors.

He says it was the DA’s responsibility to hold the government accountable and highlight the challenges faced by the city.

“The DA has been instrumental in shedding light on the problems affecting Durban’s tourism industry and has consistently pushed for measures to rectify them,” says Billy.

“Rather than assigning blame, it is crucial for all stakeholders, including the government, local authorities, and political parties, to work collaboratively towards resolving the issues that have contributed to the decline in tourism.”

eThekwini Mayor

Speaking at the executive committee meeting yesterday, the mayor reiterated his point that officials from the city should start speaking positively about Durban.

Kaunda said he has visited cities like Cape Town where crime also exists; however, city officials made it a point to highlight the good that the city had to offer despite its challenges.

The mayor added that the tourism sector in Durban is bouncing back, especially after hosting the World Table Tennis Championships recently.

“The tournament contributed immensely to our economy as we hosted 44 countries, and more than 100 countries were able to see the broadcast of the tournament and our city.”

Supporting the mayor’s point, was NFP’s Zandile Myeni, who said the table tennis championships were an indication that even though the city had challenged the rest of the world, they still had confidence in the city’s hosting a major event.

ANC member of the executive committee Nkosenhle Madlala said Durbanites should be promoting the city instead of bringing it down.

“It seems as though some councillors are doing everything in their powers to push investors and tourists to Cape Town.”

IFP councillor Mdu Nkosi said though it was great that the city hosted international tourists, it was worrying that there was a huge chance of their being victims of crime, as the city was infiltrated by vagrants and people who could be viewed as homeless but had criminal intentions.