IRELAND VS SPRINGBOKS GAME TO BOOST LOCAL TOURISM
IT’S all systems go for the highly anticipated rugby second test game between the Springboks and Ireland taking place at the Hollywoodbets Kings Park Stadium on Saturday, 13 July at 5pm.
The stakes are high as the Springboks beat Ireland 27-20 in the first test in Pretoria last week. Overall, Ireland and South Africa’s Springboks have played each other on 29 occasions since their first meeting in 1906. The Springboks have won 19 matches, while Ireland have won nine matches.
The game is set to attract a crowd of about 52 000 with a breakdown of 2 080 foreign visitors, 11 440 domestic overnight visitors and a total of 38 480 day visitors, including eThekwini residents.
EThekwini Deputy Mayor Councillor Zandile Myeni said: “Hosting the game will have a direct spend of R125 million and Gross Domestic Product contribution of R309 million with 559 jobs created in eThekwini. Hosting such sporting events brings a much-needed boost to the local tourism sector and the economy in general.”
Councillor Myeni said the City is looking forward to welcoming a number of foreign visitors this weekend. This will further boost the accommodation and tourism sectors following a successful weekend of the Hollywoodbets Durban July.
She said through Durban Tourism, eThekwini will be abuzz with various activations happening on the King’s Park Outer Fields.
“There will be Zulu dancers, rickshaw pullers and other tourism products on display to showcase to visitors what Durban has to offer.”
City teams have already begun with a massive pre-match clean-up operation around the City and the stadium precinct. This is part of a long-term programme to ensure a clean environment and revitalise tourism in eThekwini.
The City will continue to clean as per normal scheduled times. Residents and visitors are also requested to play their part to keep the City clean by following proper waste management practices which includes disposing of waste in the street litter bins strategically placed around the stadium.
We urge the public to report illegal dumping using the following number: 031 311 8804 or they can send an email to DSW@durban.gov.za