By Lingamandla Mancoba
Durban is turning to digital platforms to strengthen its tourism offering as the city prepares for the summer season.
The announcement was made during the Tourism Month celebration and Durban Summer Launch at Tyler’s Umdloti on Wednesday.
eThekwini Municipality Senior Manager Sharon Gumede said increasing Durban’s online presence is key to attracting more visitors.
“We do not need to reinvent,” said Gumede, calling for greater online traction to position Durban as a go-to destination.
EThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba said the city is ready to welcome visitors, highlighting its beaches and tourism attractions.
“Durban is open. Our beaches are open and safe. Durban is ready, and Durban welcomes you,” said Xaba.
Xaba also urged residents to rediscover their city by visiting tourism attractions in their communities.
He said digital platforms can help promote Durban’s heritage tourism by sharing the city’s stories with a wider audience.
The mayor also encouraged visitors to use QR codes on the city’s Visitors Guide to access tourism information.
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs Musa Zondi echoed the same sentiments at the recent Tourism Month launch saying modern travellers increasingly use social media when searching for holiday destinations.
He said the province needs to take advantage of the way travellers now discover and plan their trips.
“For KwaZulu-Natal, this simply cannot be a conversation about technology. The modern traveller discovers destinations differently; people search online, they compare experiences, they read reviews, they watch content and increasingly use digital platforms to plan, book and pay for their trips,” said Zondi.
