DURBAN - The deputy head of Durban Tourism, Winile Mntungwa, said people should become local ambassadors for their cities, as tourism awareness was important.
Mntungwa said this yesterday when she praised Durban West Tourism for hosting a Christmas extravaganza at the Westville Country Club, which was attended by local businesses from Westville and other parts of Durban.
Businesses sold a variety of goods, and there was a wine tasting.
She said that through these initiatives the economy was being boosted and businesses were getting exposure.
“These initiatives attract people, and people post their whereabouts on digital platforms. So their followers would also want to come and check the place out. This creates traffic and boosts the economy of the area, which could include restaurants, bed and breakfast outlets and surrounding businesses,” she said.
Moepadira Tshukudu, the chairperson of Durban West Tourism, said the extravaganza was a success.
“Last year we could not do it because of the Covid-19 lockdown restrictions, however we are happy that this year we had a large number of people coming because when we started three years ago this was small. We were even able to partner with other stakeholders,” he said.
Speaking about the looming fourth wave and the new Covid-19 variant, Mntungwa said that the tourism industry was optimistic and trusted that the leadership of the country would look at the bigger picture and take decisions that would not be detrimental to the economy.
THE MERCURY