KZN MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, has welcomed tourists to eThekwini for the annual Vodacom Durban July (VDJ).
The event is expected to attract over 40 000 visitors, and generate an estimated R300m (€19m) for the province.
This year, the ‘Stars of Africa’ will include 35 tour operators and members of the media who will be hosted by Tourism KwaZulu-Natal together with the Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism from Zambia, the DRC, Namibia and Botswana.
TKZN estimates that at least 20% of the customers coming to the VDJ will be from outside the province and hotel occupancy is expected to well over the 85% mark.
The VDJ has become a key horseracing event in the Tourism KwaZulu-Natal calendar over the years, with racing enthusiasts, punters, celebrities and media in attendance.
“We wish to extend a warm welcome to all our visitors to KwaZulu Natal. We understand that some are already here and are enjoying the beauty of our province, warm winter sunshine and warm people of our city and the province. We look forward to entertaining you and making your stay a memorable one,” said Dube-Ncube.
