City Lodge Hotels Partners to Boost Durban Tourism This Festive Season
DURBAN’S TOURISM REVIVAL PROMISES SAFE BEACHES, EXCITING EVENTS, AND A SIGNIFICANT ECONOMIC BOOST THIS HOLIDAY SEASON. VISITORS CAN EXPECT UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCES.
City Lodge Hotels has joined hands with key tourism stakeholders to rejuvenate Durban as a top holiday destination. The partnership aims to ensure the city offers a safe, vibrant, and memorable festive experience for visitors. Through the “Take the Lead Tourism” roadshow, launched on December 4, 2024, the initiative showcases a strong public-private collaboration under the theme “Exploring Durban’s Travel Adventures Together.”
Collaborative Efforts to Enhance Durban Tourism
The roadshow brings together Durban Tourism, South African Tourism, eThekwini Municipality, KZN Tourism, and other industry players. These stakeholders are working collectively to boost Durban’s appeal, emphasizing clean beaches, enhanced safety, and revitalized attractions. This partnership represents the first of many initiatives designed to position Durban as a top-tier travel destination.
City Lodge Hotels’ Chief Operating Officer, Lindiwe Sangweni-Siddo, expressed excitement about this collaboration, noting Durban’s nostalgic appeal for families. With seven properties across KwaZulu-Natal, the group is deeply invested in contributing to the region’s tourism growth while strengthening community ties.
Upgraded Hotels and Exciting Offers
City Lodge Hotels has recently revamped its City Lodge Hotel Umhlanga Ridge and Road Lodge Durban to boost Durban Tourism. These upgrades feature modern designs tailored to meet the needs of leisure and business travelers. Town Lodge Umhlanga has also expanded its culinary offerings, adding delectable dishes to its menu. Guests at other properties, including City Lodge Durban and Road Lodge Umhlanga Ridge, can expect comfort, excellent service, and delightful food and beverages.
To encourage travel, City Lodge Hotels introduced a KwaZulu-Natal promotion offering discounted rates until December 12, 2024. Afterward, the “Save Our Stay” summer campaign will provide further savings, with room rates starting at just R750 per night.
Safety remains a priority for Durban’s tourism revival. According to Lindiwe, 21 of Durban’s 23 beaches have been declared safe for swimming, and 30 public swimming pools are fully operational. The Durban Metro Police has enhanced security measures by deploying 500 new officers and 170 high-performance vehicles. These efforts aim to provide visitors with a secure and enjoyable experience.
Durban’s festive calendar is packed with attractions, including the Durban Jazz Festival on December 26 and the Fact Durban Rocks New Year’s Eve Celebration. The arrival of cruise liners MSC Euribia and MSC Musica marks the start of the 2024/25 cruise season, bringing international tourists to the city.
Economic Impact and Future Prospects for Durban Tourism
Durban’s renewed tourism efforts are expected to attract 1.3 million visitors this season, generating R2.5 billion in direct spending and contributing R6.3 billion to GDP. This boost will create over 11,000 jobs, underscoring the significance of this initiative for the local economy.
Lindiwe concluded by inviting visitors to experience Durban’s transformation, saying, “Life is hard. Check into easy.” City Lodge Hotels remain committed to making Durban shine for all travelers this festive season.
