Durban Mayor Cyril Xaba announces record tourism growth during festive season
In a recent address, Mayor Cyril Xaba revealed that Durban experienced its most successful festive season in years, with over 6.8 million visitors and significant economic boosts, marking a remarkable recovery since the 2022 floods.
Image: Ntombizodwa Dlamini/ Sunday Tribune newspaper
DURBAN Mayor Cyril Xaba has hailed the 2025/2026 festive season as the city’s most successful in years, citing record visitor numbers, improved infrastructure, and a packed calendar of events that boosted the local economy.
Speaking at the Mayoral Tourism Editors’ Engagement Luncheon held at the Octavia Boutique Hotel situated in Inanda on Thursday, Xaba said that for the first time since the 2022 floods, all 23 bathing beaches were open and safe for swimming, while water supply remained largely stable across the metro.
“Let me state without hesitation that this was the best festive season the City has experienced in many years.”
Between December 1 and January 12, Durban’s beaches recorded more than 6.8 million visitors, while municipal swimming pools welcomed over 1.2 million bathers.
Xaba praised the lifeguards and emergency services, with officials noting that their professionalism, vigilance, and teamwork ensured that incidents were managed effectively, safeguarding lives and maintaining a safe and enjoyable environment along the coastline.
The mayor also highlighted its child safety measures, revealing that 275,000 wristbands were issued to children and 1,855 lost youngsters were reunited with their families within 24 hours. Cleanliness was another priority, with a comprehensive Waste Management Plan rolled out to keep the coastline welcoming.
“We will maintain this standard throughout the year, and we thank residents and visitors for their cooperation in keeping Durban’s beaches clean and enjoyable," said Xaba.
He added that law enforcement visibility was stepped up, with more than 2,000 officers deployed daily across freeways, beachfronts, shopping centres, and crime hotspots, supported by 500 CCTV cameras.
Roadblocks targeted reckless driving and drinking and driving, while multidisciplinary operations ensured public safety.
Xaba also revealed that the festive season delivered an economic boost. Preliminary figures revealed that Durban welcomed close to 1.2 million visitors, a 19% increase from 2024.
Accommodation occupancy rose to 77%, while direct tourism spend jumped from R2.2 billion to R2.7 billion. The sector’s GDP contribution surged from R5.5 billion to R9.6 billion, creating over 14,000 job opportunities.
“These figures reaffirm tourism as a key driver of our local economy,” he said.
Xaba highlighted the unveiling of the statues of Nelson Mandela and Oliver Tambo in the coming weeks will enhance Durban's tourism offering as well as other events such as the Jonsson Workwear Durban Open golf tournament planned for February and the Metro FM Music Awards in April.
In addition, a new airline route between King Shaka International Airport and Reunion Island, will be opened, with the inaugural flight scheduled for February 27.
International artists set to perform in Durban this year, includes Anthony Hamilton in February, Bryan Adams in March, and UB40 featuring Ali Campbell in June.
Other major events on the 2026 calendar include the Durban International Marathon, the Comrades Marathon, the Hollywoodbets Durban July, and the Durban International Film Festival.