Durban - Despite a reported 10 percent national increase in the number of tourists visiting South Africa, business operators in Durban’s tourist hubs say this has had very little impact on their bottom line.
A recent report released by the National Department of Tourism stated that there had been almost 800 000 more visitors between January and October last year compared to the same period in 2011.
In Durban one sector that is thriving from the increasing number of visitors is the hotel and accommodation sector. According to the Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa, the occupancy of rooms in KwaZulu-Natal had increased following a dip in 2010 and 2011.
Acting Fedhasa chief executive Eddy Khosa said they were hoping this would remain the case this year.
“In 2010 there were a lot of rooms that were built and so there was a slight dip following that, but we are very happy that things have not only stabilised but are getting better. Occupancy has increased in KZN and other places and a lot of our members in the province have reported an increase in revenue, and we are hoping that this will also be the case this year,” said Khosa.
But Frans Swart, who manages Nino’s café at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, says cities like Durban need more attractions if visitors are going to spend any real money.
“There are very few attractions here in the city and a lot of the businesses that are around here for instance do not often get regular visitors.
“We mostly get a shot in the arm during public holidays, but during the year it is very tough,” said Swart. “I think that in Durban we need more attractions, especially at the stadium; even things like concerts and shows will go a long way towards helping us survive.”
These sentiments are shared by Thokozani Duma, who runs a boating and cruise service at the popular Wilson’s Wharf. Duma said although business was better during the December holidays there were very few patrons during off-peak seasons.
“It’s very difficult for us to maintain our businesses because people only come once. We even have to increase our prices over the holidays because then we are able to make up lost ground,” he said.
Duma, a resident of kwaMakhutha, said many tourism businesses failed because locals did not support them. “It’s very disappointing because most of the people who come here are not from South Africa. We mostly get support from outsiders and that is making things hard for us. If more locals visited these areas things would be much better.”
Karen Kohler, a research manager at Tourism KZN, said the South Coast had seen a significant growth over the last year, in part due to many beaches having Blue Flag status.
Trader Sibongile Khumalo said one of the challenges faced by legal hawkers at the beachfront was the number of people who sell there without permits.
“Tourists come here and of course they are looking for bargains and there are many people who operate here who do not have permits like us. And that is a big problem because we pay to use the space, but other people can also sell here and make more money because they do not rent,” she said.
Khumalo urged government to subsidise informal traders. - Independent on Saturday