Durban is a natural paradise known for its gorgeous coastline, nearby sun-kissed beaches and subtropical climate, situated on the eastern seaboard of Africa. The city is built around one of the busiest ports in Africa and is a premier lifestyle and events destination, at the cutting edge of worldwide trends in destination marketing. The city focuses on providing visitors with a unique set of experiences that go beyond the beach and into the realm of Durban’s diverse culture, urban lifestyle, and scenic diversity.
Durban and KwaZulu-Natal as a whole have a unique offering for the benefit of the African market, including golden beaches, warm Indian Ocean waters and year-round warmth. Durban’s key offerings, like uShaka Marine World, the Moses Mabhida Stadium, its beach experience, and world class shopping malls are just some of its unique selling points.
Direct flights introduced by SA Express into Africa provide the springboard necessary for taking existing and prospective new business dealings between KwaZulu-Natal and Lusaka and Harare. This is an exciting prospect, and one which brings with it the opportunity for hugely intensified trade relations, as well as a brand new platform for quick and affordable tourist travel. SA Express’ commitment to linking Durban directly with a host of SADC countries has created endless new possibilities, both for the province and for the airline’s business and tourism communities in regional destinations. Visitors coming from land-locked countries now also have an easily and quickly reached coastal destination at their disposal for the ultimate beach experience. As an economic hub, the city focuses on its six main business sectors, with tourism as one of its main focus areas. In terms of GDP contribution, the city has emphasised its confidence in the growing tourism sector in the city. With a strong economy underpinning the city, Durban has received a lot of attention from both local and foreign investors hoping to have a chance to be a part of both Durban’s, as well as Africa’s, future potential.
The city’s investments, such as the billion rand upgrade of the Beachfront Promenade from uShaka Marine World to Blue Lagoon, was a catalyst for players in the hotel industry (such as Tsogo Sun) to invest in the upgrade of their own products on the beachfront. This shows increased investor confidence in the city, and indirectly supports the city’s investments and tourism initiatives.
The city recently launched its new Smart Cities Campaign, a documentary that forms part of the National Geographic Campaign in Washington. The World’s Smart Cities Programme will feature up to 18 of the world’s most liveable cities; cities capable of adapting and thriving with this growing urban trend, providing the best cities in which to live, visit, study, and do business.
Another very successful component is the city's focus on securing major conferences, through the Durban KwaZulu-Natal Convention Bureau, a partnership between the province and city. In addition to the benefits of thousands of delegates attending a convention in the city, many visitors extend their stay to experience other areas in the province. One recent success was securing the World Routes Convention in 2015. This will bring together the largest range of airlines, airports, civil aviation authorities and tourism authorities from all corners of the world, some 4,000 delegates who can directly influence new global routes and truly assist in putting KwaZulu-Natal and Durban firmly on the global map.
International Accolades
CNN voted Durban as one of the world’s top ten most underrated cities. The recently published **Master Card Global Destination City Index** has predicted that Durban – with its important and busy seaport – will be this year’s fastest growing city in Africa and will be the second fastest growing tourism city of the 132 cities surveyed worldwide.
**The African Business Review** called Durban “South Africa's Brightest Beacon”. Durban has also made it to the Top 21 List and is a strong contender to become one of the next “New 7 Wonder Cities of the World”.The city of Durban is an elegant, mature and ambitious city. It is a trendsetter in offering a great lifestyle, speckled with adventure activities, and blessed with natural beauty while being an astonishingly liveable city. Whether you are here as a business delegate or a leisure traveller, Durban exudes a warm African flavour that will capture your heart forever.
**For more information, visit www.durbanexperience.co.za.**
<sidebar> Fascinating Facts
· In 1962, Nelson Mandela was captured and arrested in the town of Howick and thus began his 27 years of incarceration. Mandela returned to KwaZulu-Natal to begin a new journey when he chose to cast his first vote as a free man in Inanda, Durban, in 1994.
· The world’s oldest and largest ultra-marathon, the Comrades Marathon, takes place here.
· The world’s tallest bungee swing is located at the Moses Mabhida Stadium (Guinness Book of Records, 14th May 2011).
· The city is home to the largest shopping mall in the Southern Hemisphere, the Gateway Theatre of Shopping, which features a skate park designed by Tony Hawk.
· Durban’s Aliwal Shoal is considered to be one of the world’s top diving sites.
· Durban Harbour is the ninth largest harbour in the world, and the busiest container port in Africa.
· The spiritual leader of the Indian independence movement, Mahatma Ghandi, began his political journey in Durban.
· Durban is one of South Africa’s top surfing destinations.
· The rickshaw was brought to Durban in 1893 by the sugar magnate Sir Marshall Campbell. Rickshaw pullers have been operating in Durban for more than 100 years.
· The fifth largest aquarium in the world and the biggest in Africa – uShaka Marine World – is in Durban.
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