Ballito Pro provides massive boost for North Coast economy
With an estimated 180 000 attendees and global viewership through live broadcasts, the event showcased the region's perfect conditions and incredible surf while promoting mid-winter tourism.
The 54th Ballito Pro surf event, KwaDukuza’s most significant annual sporting event, has once again provided a major boost to the North Coast economy.
More than 180 000 people are estimated to have visited events linked to the surfing and festival in person, with hundreds of thousands more reached across the globe via live broadcasts.
Showcasing perfect temperate conditions and fantastic surf on the KZN North Coast, the Pro is an ideal advertisement for mid-winter tourism as well.
Together with the surf event, other attractions included a street market, free music concerts, events promoting a cleaner environment and daily entertainment activities.
Ballito Pro organiser, Collette Bundy, was extremely satisfied at the completeion of another successful event – the 15th since relocating to Ballito in 2009. The 54-year-old event started as the Gunston 500 in Durban in 1969.
“We are thrilled to have hosted so many visitors to the event and regions from all over the globe. The Ballito Pro is an iconic event which provides a platform for many locals and businesses to participate in and benefit from, whilst also showcasing the best the region has to offer,” she said.
Cyberview Letting manager Inus Van Schalkwyk reported a bumper period for the local letting and hospitality sectors.
“We had a fantastic two weeks, right from when the juniors started and up until last Saturday. We had around 95% occupancy, of which I would say 90% were South African tourists and the rest international,” he said.
And aside from the direct economic impact over the two week period, municipal input into upgrading the beach facilities has provided longer-term improvements.
The KwaDukuza Coastal Management Plan has already put direct funding into beach infrastructure, with a view to adding to the municipality’s three Blue Flag beaches.
“The Ballito Pro is an excellent indication of the event-hosting capabilities of KwaDukuza, with its top-class accommodation, fine dining, quality beaches, outdoor adventures, and many heritage sites. Through ongoing public-private sector collaborations, we’ll continue to develop KwaDukuza into a world-renowned tourism destination suited to everything from large-scale corporate events to seaside family holidays,” said KwaDukuza economic development director, Sikhumbuzo Hlongwane.
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