AN estimated R798 million profit is expected for the economy of the city of Thekwini next weekend for the annual Hollywoodbets Durban July horse and fashion race.
This was said by the Mayor of Thekwini Municipality, Mr. Cyril Xaba, speaking at a forum to officially launch this year’s programs for this event, which was held at the Shongweni Club.
“The weekend of this competition brings a great and positive difference to our city as it always brings good economic results with profits coming in to hotels, accommodation businesses, food places, transport, travel places and street vendors who benefit a lot at this time,” said Xaba.
Continuing, he said that this year they expect more than 40,000 visitors to attend the event, and spend about R230 million for entertainment in different ways, and that it is expected that 1,105 job opportunities will be created.
“And it doesn’t end there as there will be an annual fashion show that will benefit the nine fashion designers who are part of it, which will greatly help to grow their businesses in this role,” he said.
The mayor assured that the city is ready to host this tournament which is coming back for the 130th time this year, and they will strengthen security throughout the city so that nothing disturbs the plans.
The head of the major events and marketing department at Race Coast, which organizes the event, Mr. Stephen Marshall, said that they are proud that this year there will be 29 fun tents in this event, which will be visited by about 50,000 people and 1,000 security guards who will ensure that it goes in the right direction.
The communications manager at Hollywoodbets, Mr. Devin Heffer, announced that this year the stakes for the big horse race have increased from R5 million last year, to R10 million this year – which will make this competition the biggest of its kind in Africa.