In a bid to advance the City’s tourism recovery plans, eThekwini Municipality hosted a Durban Tourism stakeholders workshop at Hillcrest Valley Lodge on Friday, 13 August.
The event was hosted in partnership with the 1000 Hills Community Tourism Organisation (CTO) under the theme ‘Reintroduction of local leadership to the concept of CTO’s mandate, structure and function’ and spearheaded by the chairperson of the Economic Development and Planning Committee, councillor Sipho Kaunda. The workshop was the last of many that were held throughout the Durban Tourism regions, aimed at reflecting, empowering, rebuilding and redirecting collectively towards advancing tourism objectives by getting communities involved in tourism to become ambassadors of their own city. Opening the event with the National Anthem was Kearsney College’s Boys Choir who set the mood with some dance moves and a traditional Zulu song.
Sibusiso Mngoma, senior manager at Durban Tourism said the roadshows aim to introduce CTO’s development programmes to local structures to achieve seamless execution of its plans and objectives while sharing a legal framework with all spheres of government and stakeholders. “The purpose was also to re-introduce Durban Tourism to the councillors who have a common interest in political leadership which is the development of the city and their various areas. This will benefit the community and the tourism sector as well,” said Mngoma. He said it was also important that the councillors know the function of CTO’s and for them to be engaged with the organisations. “The benefits of having CTO’s are that they are the point of contact, they represent the city, facilitate legal and quality compliance of community tourist destinations and community businesses,” Mngoma added.
Provincial tourism deputy director, Sthembile Bhengu highlighted the role of government in the promotion of community tourism. She also commended eThekwini Municipality for ensuring that CTO’s are recognised and supported, saying that this makes eThekwini one of the best city’s when it comes to supporting their CTO’s. “After the Covid-19 pandemic, tourists showed more interest in homely holidays rather than visiting the outdoors which changed our perspective on what holidays and tourism is about,” Bhengu added. Bhengu said that the department is fully aware of the challenges faced at local level, specifically by Bed and Breakfasts, lodges and other community tourist destinations. “We are aware that there are issues of compliance for the CTO’s as they are struggling with fly-by-nights who do not do things by the book. This results in businesses losing clientele. Another challenge is that of infrastructure and signage of the roads,” Bhengu added.
She said councillors need to be more involved and should build relationships with their local CTO’s. “In some areas we see CTO’s failing and giving up because they do not get the support they need from all three spheres, councillors, municipality and the province. CTO’s should also regulate how they integrate business among each other and should not allow competition in business. They should ensure that all the members provide the same quality of services and product offerings for tourist. They must establish linkages between the businesses in order for the entire CTO to benefit. During Covid many businesses in Durban showed that they want to comply and previously this was one of the main challenges the tourism sector faced. I hope that more districts can be like eThekwini and support their CTO’s,” said Bhengu. Paul Paine, chair of 1000 Hills Tourism said during the Covid pandemic, events were limited, however this gave them the opportunity to revamp their visitors’ guides, clean up the trails, whilst educating communities and developing charity organisations. “After the hard lockdown we noticed that our foot print increased as many visitors wanted to be in area’s which are peaceful and quiet and away from the city,” Paine added.
He has urged the councillor, Durban Tourism and the province to assist small businesses especially in the rural areas with getting their legislation documents in order. Cllr Sipho Kaunda, chairperson of the Economic Development and Planning Committee said that he is glad that these roadshows happened and emphasised that councillors need to build relations with the CTO’s in order for them to prioritise their needs. “With these workshops, councillors now understand the importance of CTO’s and how they contribute to the economy of the city. I also note the issues raised and I will definitely address them in council and ensure that the budget allocated to CTO’s is increased,” said Kaunda.
