Dundee tourism body fights to survive amid funding crisis
Dundee Tourism warns closure looms as funding cuts threaten events, jobs
Dundee Tourism has warned it may be forced to close after 40 years of promoting the area, unless urgent funding is secured.
At last week’s AGM, it emerged that Endumeni Municipality had provided no funding over the past year, while the Umzinyathi District Municipality’s contribution will drop to just R25 000. In previous years, Endumeni contributed around R300 000 annually.
Mayor Mcebo Mkhize, who attended the meeting, said a memorandum of understanding had been ‘partially’ signed with the tourism committee and he was hopeful support could be secured. “Tourism is vital to our economy. The Dundee July brought thousands of visitors who spent money at local businesses – we need that all year round,” he said.
Tourism chairperson Toyi Mtshali said the committee had worked to involve musicians, artists, sportspeople, cultural groups, schools and colleges in inclusive, tourism-driven events.
He called for volunteers to join as “friends of Dundee Tourism” to help with event management, but warned that poor infrastructure was deterring visitors. “We have lost around 15 tour buses a month because operators avoid our badly maintained roads and poor signage. This has hit accommodation and related businesses hard,” he said.
Despite challenges, Dundee Tourism has continued to attend major tourism expos, support local charities, and celebrate successes such as ten local guides qualifying with the Tourism Grading Council.
Jabulani Khanyile urged a new “glocal” approach – thinking globally, acting locally – by combining heritage, culture, sport, music and art into a unified tourism model. He called for township B&Bs, township tourism, more use of the horse track, and an indoor sports centre to attract events. “We are not selling stones, but stories,” he said.
Pam McFadden, chairperson of the Talana Museum Board, outlined plans for the 150th anniversary of the Anglo-Zulu War in 2029, including an international historical conference expected to attract thousands of visitors, particularly from the UK.
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