Africa-Press – South-Africa. The tourism sector in Durban will lose an estimated R30 million over the Easter Weekend because of cancelled bookings after the province was hit by widespread flooding.
Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu said in a statement on Thursday that in Durban, on average, 16% of bookings have been cancelled, which translates to a projected loss in visitors of 20%, or about 30 000 tourists.
“This means a direct tourism spend loss of R30 million is projected [for Durban], with R74 million GDP loss and 155 temporary job losses,” says Sisulu. She called on tourists and residents in KZN to be vigilant and safe following the floods.
KwaZulu-Natal had projected 366 503 arrivals and spend of R1.2 billion over the Easter season, with an estimated 256 552 arrivals and a spend of R880 million for the Easter long weekend, according to the National Department of Tourism.
Some beaches are full of debris and may be closed for the Easter weekend.
In the central Drakensberg, the main concern for the tourism industry is potholes, exacerbated by the heavy rains. The Olifantshoek pass, for example, was badly damaged by the summer rains.
In the Cato Ridge area the Tala Game Reserve is closed for the next few days due to flooding and roads in and around the Gwahumbe Game Reserve are unsuitable for driving. One of the camps has been partially destroyed.
In the Midlands at least conferences were cancelled this week, amounting to a loss of income of about R75 000.
So far in April, about 46.7% of the passengers arriving at the King Shaka International Airport were international.
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