Durban - Durban needs to get its mojo back. Plans are afoot to revitalise the city’s “sleepy” nightlife after a recent study revealed that only 20 percent of tourists were exploring Durban’s offerings at night.
At a meeting last week Durban Tourism said that, based on a recent sample survey, the body had decided to commission a broader study to determine how “viable and active” the city’s nightlife was.
Durban Tourism head Philip Sithole said the study would look at various models and plans to get the city’s nightlife back on track, but these would have to be approved by council.
“It will look at the current by-laws,” he said.
Fearful
He said the plans would have to strike a balance between the public interest of residents living in popular nightlife areas and revellers populating the clubs and restaurants in those areas, he said.
Entertainment districts would be developed “in a managed approach”, he said.
The survey, conducted and compiled in October, determined whether there was nightlife in Durban, what percentage of visitors attended these venues and if there were any activities that could be associated with nightlife in Durban?
The researchers said the 20 percent figure was low and should be improved, considering that most tourists spent between three and four days in the city.
They attributed the low figure to people being “too reticent” and “fearful” to go out.
Popular nightlife spots tourists visited were Florida Road – being the most popular – Sibaya Casino, the beachfront, Gateway Mall and Umhlanga town centre.
Approached for comment, Durban Chamber of Commerce chief executive Dumile Cele said although the city’s nightlife had improved significantly, the improvement was confined to a few “vibrant nodes”. These were chiefly Florida Road, Umhlanga and Max’s Lifestyle in Umlazi.
“Durban’s nightlife still lags behind Joburg and Cape Town,” she said. “It is still far from where it can be.”
She said tourists were embracing the nightlife that existed but were often left hanging when outlets closed by 10pm.
“The Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry often hosts international business delegations and, after a long day of work, delegates have no intention of wasting time sleeping. So clearly the demand is there; we are short of supply of nightlife offerings.”
She said if the city’s nightlife was to improve, it would significantly increase its contribution towards the city’s economy.
Forex
“I believe that our business owners and managers need a shift in their entrepreneurial thinking.
“I find it very interesting that everything shuts down when the employed, who have disposable income, come out of work.
“Also, when the business tourists have finished working and are ready to spend some forex in the food and retail outlets.”
Glenwood councillor Nicole Graham, who attended the meeting, said the city needed to develop zones similar to Florida Road.
“People go to one place and if they don’t like it they can go somewhere else – and that’s what makes successful entertainment districts,” she said
Proper controls and stricter security were needed to get an enhanced nightlife off the ground, she said.
The Mercury