The Department of Tourism is working with the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality to “implement projects and initiatives to reposition Durban as a preferred destination for local and international visitors”, according to departmental spokesperson Tasneem Carrim.
The city has made headlines for the wrong reasons. First, it was E.coli in the water at the beaches, followed by water shortages.
Read more: Durban tourism operators fasten seatbelts after yet another blow – water cuts
Last week, Daily Maverick reported that stakeholders had pleaded with Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille to help fix the challenges that are keeping tourists away from Durban.
Daily Maverick journalist Naledi Sikhakhane reported in January that in 2015, 7.4 million people visited Durban, spending R19.2-billion. Last year, just 800,000 people visited the city, spending R1.6-billion.
The Department of Tourism has formed a task team to try to get tourists back to KZN in general and Durban in particular.
Carrim said: “The department is part of the presidential workstream that is delegated to address the issues impacting the tourism sector in KwaZulu-Natal with a view of overcoming the current challenges and finding solutions to support the industry’s recovery and growth.”
Alongside the department and municipality, other groups that are part of the task team include Durban Tourism, the city’s metro police and Invest Durban. Also involved are the KZN Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, the national Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, and the national Department of Water and Sanitation.
Carrim said the initiative “has and is continuously implementing” projects such as clean-up campaigns linked to high-profile events like the Comrades Marathon to revitalise tourism in the region.
“These were joint initiatives implemented by the department and the city. Since the commencement of the clean-up operations, over 700 people have participated,” she said.
In addition, safety measures have been put in place, including the appointment and deployment of 300 young people as street ambassadors to “assist the police with [fighting] crime in the city”.
And 78 tourism monitors — a departmental programme which involves training and employing young people to provide customer care services and first aid and promote public safety practices — have been deployed as a “measure to improve safety at tourism destinations, while enhancing visitor experience”.
The KZN Tourism and Film Authority “will work to market and rebrand the destination locally and internationally”, said Carrim.
Tourist safety is ‘crucial’
On Thursday, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu launched the Safer Festive Season initiative and signed a cooperation agreement with the KwaZulu-Natal government.
“It is our responsibility to ensure that both our citizens and visitors can enjoy the beauty of KZN without fear,” said Mchunu. “The safety of tourists is also crucial, as tourism is a vital part of our economy, especially during this time of year.”
He further said that during the festive season, “you will see increased police and law enforcement visibility across the province and the country. We will have more boots on the ground, conducting operations to counter serious and violent crimes, ensuring that citizens, businesses and tourists feel safe and protected during this time of rest, relaxation and celebration.” DM