DA - eThekwini

The DA says that this may be the worst tourism season for eThekwini Municipality. Image: Twitter/ Ethekwini Municipality

DA claims this is the worst tourism season for eThekwini

The DA says that it is concerned about KZN’s severe decline in local tourism, in a statement put out on Monday.

DA - eThekwini

The DA says that this may be the worst tourism season for eThekwini Municipality. Image: Twitter/ Ethekwini Municipality

In a statement put out, the DA says that it is concerned about the city’s severe decline in local tourism.

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CITY PERFORMANCE BAD SINCE DECEMBER

The statement claims that Durban “portrayed a bleak image of the city’s performance over the December holiday season”.

Many tourists fled “the sewerage-infested beaches of Durban in search of a better-run and managed experience in the Cape.”

Trash recovered from Durban beaches in 2022. Image: HMail

DA SPOKESPERSON WEIGHS IN

The DA’s Sakhile Mngadi recorded low hotel occupancy rates across all major hotel chains, and a decrease in overnight visitors of over 300 000 in that period compared to 2021 and 2022.

Mngadi added that the empty beaches during peak season are all causes for concern about the city’s brand.

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“What is evident is that the city’s inability to manage the sewerage issue, along with the city’s lack of response to the pool crisis, has knocked eThekwini off its pedestal as the country’s premier tourism destination. The resulting economic turbulence will cost the city’s revenue-generating capacity millions in missed collections if businesses shrink or close down completely,” Mngadi said.

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RESEARCH SHOWS THAT ETHEKWINI IS STRUGGLING

Mngadi added that the research presented at the economic development and planning committee shows that eThekwini is struggling. The statement also claims that the municipality is on the brink of collapse and that crucial service delivery is at an all-time low.

“Refuse lies uncollected in our streets for days, whilst municipal workers embark on illegal strikes, or municipal infrastructure failures impede collection and transport.” 

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The says that the DA in KZN has been fighting hard to turn this sinking ship around