Development along the lines of Queensland's Gold Coast is a tourism winner. Resort towns like Surfers' Paradise attract high rolling visitors from all over the world, notably the Gulf States.

http://www.queenslandholidays.com.au/destinations/gold-coast/places-to-visit/surfers-paradise/

Durban enjoys a warmer climate than Southern Queensland, has better surf and a more exotic cultural milieu. Some of the infrastructure is already in place, but remember that Surfers' is the place where oil billionaires hire entire hotel floors for their families and entourage to escape the worst of the Northern Summer after July each year.

The Gold Coast offers world class shopping, luxury high-rise beachfront apartments and five star plus hotels. Needless to say, personal security is not an issue and people wander about freely at all hours. This is the environment that Durbs must seek to create, if not in the city then elsewhere on the Natal coast.

http://www.surfersparadise.com/

The Gold Coast is served by two airports, a regional airport at Coolangatta on the NSW border and Brisbane's international airport. Taxis, and shuttle buses travel to Surfers', and there is a fast electric train from Southport to Brisbane. Once at Surfers' there is little need for motorised transport unless touring the hinterland or visiting Brisbane.

As for skyscrapers, you better believe it! :cheers:

http://www.verygoldcoast.com.au/

Durban just needs to be the next Durban.
It has SO much more than the gold coast in terms of culture and history and wildlife experience (in the vicinity).
It does want more tourist infrastructure, but not the glut of tack and faux tourist attractions the gold coast suffers from.

Durbs has a brand new international airport, the burgeoning point development with Ushaka, the new (world renowned, I guess) stadium and precinct linking with the suncoast casino and brand new promenade, with restaurants and entertainment spots being born all along its length.

So it is well on its way, seems to be doing it with some style and making it its own.

With the satellite resort towns of the South Coast and Umhlanga et al, the region already gets massive amounts of local tourists.
The new airport will facilitate international arrivals (and a growing share of the lucrative mid-east market.)
The biggest single thing Durban needs is quality marketing.

If they get that right, Durban will be the new Durban, no other comparisons necessary.

^^
amen.
on a very general level the western envy thing is something that south africa suffers from and in tourism especially this holds as back. we try to replicate american/european/australian experiences. south africa is an interesting place with mixture of culture, weather, wildlife that's hard to beat and needs to be sold in ints own way. (geez i sound like a satour, pamphlet)

i used to travel to durban quite often and have not been there in two years. im really excited to travel there in the next couple of weeks to see how the city is progressing. there seems to be new energy and positivity in durban,most of all from dubanites who were, in my experience, the biggest haters.

Agreed, Durban is unique & needs to be marketed uniquely but in all honesty comparing the city isnt all that bad. Sometimes people need some sort of guide as to what to expect & sometimes thats where the fine line in decided to go to a place might come. If its something they are used to then it could sway in favour of Durban, but once they are here they can see we have much much more to offer.

Durbs is often compared to Miami so I don't see harm in a comparison to Surfer's Paradise to give people (mainly from Oz) a vague idea of what to expect. However, Durbs is uniquely diff (demographics, cultures, topography, and biodiversity) to Miami and Oz cities, and should be marketed as such. We're already widely known as "Surf City" so comparisons and links to "Surfer's Paradise" can be expected. I certainly think while Durban shouldn't mimic the Surfer's Paradise experience, it should aspire to attract the top end market that the latter is successful in doing. This means learning valuable marketing lessons from Surfer's Paradise.

i agree with the miami comparisson and its unavoidable and fair. people make comparissons all the time. i just think that comparisson should not translate into a tourism strategy

admitadly i've never been to australia, but i cant reconcile the high rolling middle eastern image and the surfer paradise image(the image of an oil sheik and his bikini clad lady on a surf board is not a very common one). im not saying that they are mutually exclusive but it shows that its possible to capture that market in different ways. kzn already has super high end luxury resorts that are the envy of any tourism authority in the world.

and that is the thing; we sit with attribues which are unique in the world. where possible we should learn from places with successful tourism sectors but the lessons that are really going to elevate durban and south africa's tourism have not been taught, because no place in the world is like us. the surf lifestyle is a single aspect of the durban experience. if we had to punt this as durban's main drawcard though, we're limiting our succes by competing directly with so many other places: miami, hawai, gold coast, bali and the list goes on and on.

i'm not aware of the durban's current tourism strategy and tourism interventions. in the past these have not done justice to durban. to this day durban is STILL known almost only for having nice weather all year round. but out of all our big cities i think durban probably has potentially the most to offer. the great weather and beaches are part of it; but the story of durban is a very interestig one. the zulu nation, its culture and its music is the subject of much romance and facination world wide. fortunately or unfortunatley zulu culture is almost synonous with africa with some people think all of africa is filled with zulu people. imagine if there were more well run museums and initiatives which allowed people to come into contact with the history and culture. in the same way that people travel to argentina to learn to tango people could come to durban to learn indlamo. there is the story of the indian diaspora and the possibilities this creates in attracting the huuuuge indian market. then there are game parks which are in proximity and which very few of the places on that long list of surfer paradises can claim. and...and...and

i think if i was from durban i'd be sick of being defined by the weather and the surf when there is soooo much more. sorry for draggin it out:) just someting i've felt strongly about for a while.

I certainly think while Durban shouldn't mimic the Surfer's Paradise experience, it should aspire to attract the top end market that the latter is successful in doing. This means learning valuable marketing lessons from Surfer's Paradise.
Lessons to be learned from the Gold Coast without trying to replicate it? My point exactly! Whatever else Durban may or may not be, the marketing aspect is sadly lacking. I've not been there recently so I can't comment on the personal security aspect.

You folk are from Durban so you love it and you like it the way it is. I'm from PE. I love PE (Enough said!), but I'm not kidding myself its ever going to attract billionaire class tourists and have major league investors pumping money into it.

What SA needs is big spending tourists and big time investors. How else are we to carry the 80-percent plus of the population who are living in third world conditions, many below the poverty line?

Durban is a very special place. That was one of the motivators for my post: better year round climate, better surf, and - thus far at least - no skyscrapers on the beachfront to block the afternoon sun. Shade on the Gold Coast beaches may be an advantage at the height of summer; during the cooler months, when overnight temps at Surfers' can drop to 6'C, lack of sun in the afternoon serves to keep all but the dedicated surfers off the sand.
Durbs certainly has the potential to do it better than the Gold Coast, but let's not pretend we're even close at this point

Cities like Durban can't rely on proximity to game reserves to sell themselves to overseas tourists. If people want a photo safari, they'll book one in the Kruger, Botswana or the Serengeti. What Durban can offer is a luxury beach holiday in a superb sub-tropical setting. Surfers' has shown that people will not only pay but travel long distances provided that all the amenities are in place.

The Gold Coast is not Brisbane, Durban or Miami, its a unique environment whose sole focus is catering for visitors of all types. Alongside one of the few hotels in the world to be rated so highly that it hasn't got a star rating, there are $25 a night motels and - well hidden - caravan parks.

What do I like best about the Gold Coast? Being able to walk around freely at any time, day or night. :banana:

^^
your dismissal of cities being unable to market themselves on proximity to game reserves is not convincing.

you're right in sayin south africa needs free spending tourists. everyone does. but i fail to see how this has anything to do with durban/brisbane being tropical and having a surf lifestyle. most surfers i know have been accused of being bums:)

i still think it would be sad, unimaginative and unrewarding if durban positioned its self as a cheap copy an australian/californian beach lifestyle. you can always go to california and australia for that experience. i would almost say that durban needs to shake that label because there is an oversupply of beach destinations in the world

Lessons to be learned from the Gold Coast without trying to replicate it? My point exactly! Whatever else Durban may or may not be, the marketing aspect is sadly lacking. I've not been there recently so I can't comment on the personal security aspect.

You folk are from Durban so you love it and you like it the way it is. I'm from PE. I love PE (Enough said!), but I'm not kidding myself its ever going to attract billionaire class tourists and have major league investors pumping money into it.

What SA needs is big spending tourists and big time investors. How else are we to carry the 80-percent plus of the population who are living in third world conditions, many below the poverty line?

Durban is a very special place. That was one of the motivators for my post: better year round climate, better surf, and - thus far at least - no skyscrapers on the beachfront to block the afternoon sun. Shade on the Gold Coast beaches may be an advantage at the height of summer; during the cooler months, when overnight temps at Surfers' can drop to 6'C, lack of sun in the afternoon serves to keep all but the dedicated surfers off the sand.
Durbs certainly has the potential to do it better than the Gold Coast, but let's not pretend we're even close at this point

Cities like Durban can't rely on proximity to game reserves to sell themselves to overseas tourists. If people want a photo safari, they'll book one in the Kruger, Botswana or the Serengeti. What Durban can offer is a luxury beach holiday in a superb sub-tropical setting. Surfers' has shown that people will not only pay but travel long distances provided that all the amenities are in place.

The Gold Coast is not Brisbane, Durban or Miami, its a unique environment whose sole focus is catering for visitors of all types. Alongside one of the few hotels in the world to be rated so highly that it hasn't got a star rating, there are $25 a night motels and - well hidden - caravan parks.

What do I like best about the Gold Coast? Being able to walk around freely at any time, day or night. :banana:

You are missing out on one key thing... Durban is a large multicultural CITY.

Surfers is a place more similar to the old Umhlanga days or Ballito in that it is predominently a tourist centre (hotels and holiday homes) with a growing resident population. But if you want a real job you go to Brisbane etc.

That is a massive difference in a how a place operates. Durban is growing and changing, and of late rather quickly too...think you need a visit...how many years has it been?

That said, of course there is alot more to do. Heck every single tourist centre anywhere has alot to keep doing or face falling off the map. Durban needs more resort type hotels (this it will most certainly get with the Point beach hotels and hopefully if one is developed as part of the waterwolrd site redevelopment.). It needs more 5 star hotels. It needs more cafes, bars and restaurants by the beach (which many are due to open on the massively revamped and altered beachfront - check out the Durban beachfront thread...)

And yes it does need better tourism marketing. Its business marketing is top notch and has won the city countless international awards for the work done by DIPA. The tourism side was always rather amateur, but this was given a radical change with the aggressive 2010 advertising campaigns and initiatives globally. Does it need to improve? Of course! Have they turned a corner? Most definately.

Comparrisons are inevitable. But at the end of the day its Gold Coast or Miami and much more. its the packaging that needs enhancement and the world cup served to offer that

As for skyscrapers, you better believe it! :cheers:

http://www.verygoldcoast.com.au/[/QUOTE]

yes they have tall buildings and indeed skyscrapers, however i found the place one dimensional by comparison to durbz....

herez my pics....i will never forget my first sighting of surfers from the point at coolangatta.....HUGE.

http://i664.photobucket.com/albums/vv8/projectdirector1/HOLLAND%20JAPAN/INDYCARS106.jpg

http://i664.photobucket.com/albums/vv8/projectdirector1/HOLLAND%20JAPAN/INDYCARS019.jpg

http://i664.photobucket.com/albums/vv8/projectdirector1/HOLLAND%20JAPAN/INDYCARS021.jpg

http://i664.photobucket.com/albums/vv8/projectdirector1/HOLLAND%20JAPAN/INDYCARS030.jpg

http://i664.photobucket.com/albums/vv8/projectdirector1/HOLLAND%20JAPAN/INDYCARS109.jpg

http://i664.photobucket.com/albums/vv8/projectdirector1/HOLLAND%20JAPAN/INDYCARS110.jpg

http://i664.photobucket.com/albums/vv8/projectdirector1/HOLLAND%20JAPAN/INDYCARS111.jpg

http://i664.photobucket.com/albums/vv8/projectdirector1/HOLLAND%20JAPAN/INDYCARS117.jpg


although the inland waterways usurp Durban in that respect, although the harbour is similar it s a harbour as opposed to surfers waterway development attraction for boaters and they sure do have fine craft there.



http://i664.photobucket.com/albums/vv8/projectdirector1/HOLLAND%20JAPAN/INDYCARS116.jpg

:cheers:PD.

So its much bigger version of Margate?

So its much bigger version of Margate?

Durban and the coast to the north and south is already 'a surfers paradise'.

a mate is working on contract in Tweed Heads ( close to Coolingata ) and he says Surfers sucks - describes the buildings as 'Margate on steriods'. he surfs, sails a hobie cat and windsurfs - says Durban is better for all 3. he has sailed a few hobie world champs and says that you cant beat Durban ( launching off Vetch's beach ). good launch site / warm water / good breeze / scenic bay / easy access through the city. what more do we want ?

what more do we want ?

Perhaps this?

http://www.ozhorizons.com.au/hotels/goldcoast/main-beach/palazzo-versace :cheers:

http://versace-hotel.i4u.com.au/images/attractions-main-image.jpg

^^
are you coming from a view that durban should emulate the surfers attraction via traffic from the asian block nations....they are the huge investors in SP.....so why would they come here in droves....aussies offer education for their kids etc...so we may have to develop that area in parrallel....we have growing numbers of asian folks coming here ...so i guess its building but we need A380 loads a day and more into KSIA.

^^ i agree...

But we do not need to be surfers. Margate and Ballito serve that tacky role. I have never been, but it does seem that it lacks a core, is not a city, has basically the beach as its key focus and is like Margate and Ballito in that the end of year matrics head there for spring break and end of year parties to trash the place...

There is nothing that blows my hair back

^^
no far from it....it is a great been there done that stop....its certainly the durbz of aus.....wouldnt fly from here for two weeks ...far from it...tacky ..not really....people having sex on balconies during indy car event ..standard.

^^
are you coming from a view that durban should emulate the surfers attraction via traffic from the asian block nations....they are the huge investors in SP.....so why would they come here in droves....aussies offer education for their kids etc...so we may have to develop that area in parrallel....we have growing numbers of asian folks coming here ...so i guess its building but we need A380 loads a day and more into KSIA.
Precisely. :banana:

I guess that I've trailed too many red herrings by focusing unduly on the beaches, which are more than adequate for all but the most dedicated board riders who - in any event - travel to more out of the way places, and other tourist attractions.

My intention in initiating this thread was to raise awareness of the almost unlimited potential for attracting big spending tourists from, for example, the Gulf States and wealthier Asian nations like Japan; not forgetting Europe, of course.

Surfers has its share of locals escaping the southern winter, backpackers, package tourists, grey nomads and the like, but its core business is the millionaire/billionaire tourism market. The Japanese come to play golf, the oil sheiks come to gamble and - it is rumoured - enjoy 'adult entertainment'.

The investment potential is huge and, not surprisingly - if you like that sort of thing, it almost rivals the other Australian cities put together in terms of high rise development. This sort of growth does not take place on the backs of 'normal' tourism, or just because a region has good beaches, a mild climate and a scenic hinterland: no big game, but they do reptiles quite well. :)

Of course Durban, and the Natal coast, should dare to be different but, at the same time, keep its eyes on the prize. There are just too many hungry mouths in South Africa to overlook the opportunity to attract real money into KZN.

I think you are forgetting a key thing though. Surfers is relatively close for those people in Asia, and thats where they are getting most of their tourist dollars from, not Europe. For us to get people in Japan to fly 16 hours will be a challenge, when they can do Surfers in 9/10.

I would not say its key business is the millionaire/billionaire, i'd say that is a component. Their bread and butter is Australians, thats what keeps them going and their apartments sold. Internationals are always a much smaller part of the pie, but the one's all the attention is given too.

Precisely. :banana:

I guess that I've trailed too many red herrings by focusing unduly on the beaches, which are more than adequate for all but the most dedicated board riders who - in any event - travel to more out of the way places, and other tourist attractions.

My intention in initiating this thread was to raise awareness of the almost unlimited potential for attracting big spending tourists from, for example, the Gulf States and wealthier Asian nations like Japan; not forgetting Europe, of course.

Surfers has its share of locals escaping the southern winter, backpackers, package tourists, grey nomads and the like, but its core business is the millionaire/billionaire tourism market. The Japanese come to play golf, the oil sheiks come to gamble and - it is rumoured - enjoy 'adult entertainment'.

The investment potential is huge and, not surprisingly - if you like that sort of thing, it almost rivals the other Australian cities put together in terms of high rise development. This sort of growth does not take place on the backs of 'normal' tourism, or just because a region has good beaches, a mild climate and a scenic hinterland: no big game, but they do reptiles quite well. :)

Of course Durban, and the Natal coast, should dare to be different but, at the same time, keep its eyes on the prize. There are just too many hungry mouths in South Africa to overlook the opportunity to attract real money into KZN.

no hope chasing the bankrupt western world......asia is still pumping cash.....look at emirates orders...they will service asians dumping their wads of $$$$$$$$$$$$$ in dubai/qatar/AD etc...and on to europe....just got to tap in and make them welcome with the right grub this side...etc....not cool having burgers and chips on offer when they want the finest.....and well they like spending not surfing.......never seen a dish dasha on a board.