Durban - The Durban Chamber of Commerce is calling on Durban businesses to partner strategically with large events - such at the Vodacom Durban July - to avail themselves of the array of benefits these events offer.
This week Isolezwe reported that July brought R175 million into the Durban economy, creating 3 000 job opportunities. the event was attended by 50 000 people.
KwaZulu-Natal's economy is expected to get a boost of R260 million, this includes money spent on accommodation and entertainment and the various other places visited by tourists in the province during this time.
Newly appointed Chamber CEO Palesa Phili said the Durban Chamber recognises that sporting events undoubtedly benefit businesses in the city provided they are correctly leveraged on.
“The Durban Chamber encourages its members and local businesses, in particular the hospitality industry, to prepare ahead in order to leverage this opportunity to promote their products and services to a wider target market.”
She said at a recent Durban Chamber’s Tourism Business Forum meeting, business supported the city’s efforts in organising repeat or yearly tourism events. “These provide a much greater economic benefit to our economy compared to once-off tourism events”.
Chairperson of the National Accommodation Association of South Africa, coastal region, Heather Hunter says it is the smaller accommodation sector that did well. Those establishments that had cancellations quickly refilled after networking with their colleagues in the industry.
“The good weather and the fashion theme made it an exciting and fun filled occasion. All in all it was successful for tourism.”