FlySafair Durban-Eastern Cape routes to boost tourism

Source: Tourism Update, 20/11/2017

`Any new route coming into an airport stimulates travel, trade and
tourism,` says Terence Delomoney, GM of King Shaka International Airport.
FlySafair recently launched a Durban-Port Elizabeth route, and a
Durban-East London service will launch on November 27. Bookings are
open for both routes.
`Any new route coming into an airport stimulates travel, trade and
tourism,` says Terence Delomoney, GM of King Shaka International
Airport. He says while there are existing frequencies from Durban to
both Port Elizabeth and East London, it is important for cities to
create as much connectivity as possible.
Hamish Erskine, CEO of Dube TradePort, says Durban increasingly
recognises the importance of a strong, competitive, well-priced
network. “The ability to offer onward connections to cities like Port
Elizabeth and East London is particularly important for Durban`s
proposition as an inbound tourism destination. Similarly, the increase
in capacity on these routes, is a considerable benefit to Durbanites,
for whom the Eastern Cape is a relatively popular destination.”
Councillor Andrew Whitfield, a member of the Mayoral Committee
responsible for Economic Development, Tourism and Agriculture within
the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, agrees. “As Durban is just a
short flight from PE, it`s easy for tourists to enjoy the best that
both cities have to offer.”
He says additional flights play an important part in Nelson Mandela
Bay Tourism`s efforts to promote the destination, as they can form
part of travel packages. He notes that air access has been a priority
for the Municipality as it works towards developing Port Elizabeth
into a regional air hub.
Whitfield believes PE is also ready to showcase the best that it has
to offer from a business tourism perspective. In line with this, the
Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality is also investigating options for a
multi-purpose conference centre.
East London, which recently hosted a number of national sporting
competitions, also has plans to bid for and host more major events and
international conferences. `There is no doubt that a route of this
nature will prove key to those plans,` says Communications Manager for
Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, Samkelo Ngwenya.
He says at the moment many of the city`s residents connect through
Johannesburg to get to Durban because of the expense of flying direct.
`So from this point of view, the new route will definitely have an
impact.`
From a business-to-business perspective there are a significant number
of people who travel between Durban and PE who will benefit from the
additional capacity on the route, particularly in the automotive
industry, says Whitfield. The additional capacity will also help boost
East London`s transport network, which is central to encouraging local
and international companies to conduct business in the city.
`Our vision of working toward becoming a connected city relates to our
plans for an integrated transport infrastructure network in the form
of ports, roads, rail and airports to ensure easy access, mobility and
connectivity within our jurisdiction and beyond, through
cost-effective and sustainable methods,` says Ngwenya.
The Buffalo City Municipality believes that other recently launched
routes, such as Johannesburg-East London, have already played an
important role in East London`s economic development. `We have no
doubt that the success of this route will, in turn, open doors for
even more routes,` he says.