eThekwini Municipality mayor, Cyril Xaba, has welcomed the re-opening of the Hilton Hotel Durban, which will significantly benefit the City’s tourism economy.

Xaba noted that the reopening of the hotel is timely as it comes at the start of Tourism Month, which is celebrated annually in September.

‘The hotel’s re-opening will add to the luxury executive accommodation inventory of Durban. The phased re-opening of the hotel will also strategically amplify the city’s business case when bidding to host national and international conferences,’ the mayor said.

Apart from enhancing the tourism experience for visitors in the city, Xaba said the re-opening of the hotel will contribute to job creation.

“The Hilton Hotel is also a great added advantage for the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (Durban ICC), which is situated near the hotel.

‘When the Durban ICC conducts their product promotion, it will be characterised by the easy accessibility to prestigious accommodation which further instils
business travel confidence.

‘The convenient accessibility is also an advantage for dignitaries and high security risk patrons as there is no long-distance travel as all business travel purpose facilities are within easy reach. We are excited that our drive to attract investment in the city, through our Inner-City Regeneration Programme [which] is beginning to yield positive results,’ he said.

The Hilton is situated in a prime location of the city’s business tourism meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions precinct.

This is where the Durban ICC and the Durban Exhibition Centre are conveniently housed.

Registration for the Durban Business Fair opens

Meanwhile, the eThekwini Municipality has reminded small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) to register to exhibit at the upcoming South regional Durban Business Fair (DBF).

To revitalise township economies, eThekwini Municipality said the city is reviving the regional Durban Business Fairs, which has been hailed for their important role of showca
sing area-based business products, empowering entrepreneurs with skills and availing networking opportunities.

Chairperson of the Economic Development and Planning Committee, Thembo Ntuli said SMMEs are pillars of the city’s economy and drive job creation.

‘Unlocking rural and township economic growth remains an integral part of our strategy to promote inclusive economic growth and create more jobs. It is therefore practical to create and coordinate programmes that promote entrepreneurship and small business growth to upscale the revitalisation of rural and township economies,’ Ntuli said.

Exhibitor registration for the DBF which will take place from 25 to 27 October 2024, at KwaMnyandu Shopping Centre, is now open.

To book to showcase at this signature business exhibition, register before the deadline of 30 September 2024.

The registration form can be found on the link: https://bit.ly/SouthForm, or email admin@lomes.co.za and request a form.

Alternatively, registration forms can be collected from the s
ecurity desk at the Embassy Building, 199 Anton Lembede Street.

You can also download the forms from the eThekwini Municipality website: www.durban.gov.za browse under government tab and scroll down to the Durban Business Fair sub-tab.

For more information, the business community can call 031 266 9938.

Source: South African Government News Agency