Durban may get its international Blue Flag beach status back if new city manager Sibusiso Sithole has his way. Addressing hospitality industry leaders at the opening of Durban Tourism’s new headquarters in Florida Road on Friday, he said he was a friend of the tourism industry and wanted to take Durban to a new level.
Questioned by The Mercury about Blue Flags, he said he was willing to review eThekwini’s position on the matter.
At one time, Durban had 10 beaches with Blue Flag or pilot status. But the municipality controversially pulled out from the programme in 2008 after several beaches failed to meet the scheme’s standards for sea water quality.
Former city manager Michael Sutcliffe was at the centre of the storm, saying the city withdrew because of inconsistent application of standards and inconclusive research on the use of Blue Flag water quality measures in subtropical waters. The city subsequently set up its own water quality signboards at its beaches.
“I am willing review the municipality’s decision not to be part of the programme… I will look into how Durban could get Blue Flag status back as South Africa’s top beach tourism destination,” Sithole said.
“I will have to talk to city officials to examine the reasons why Durban abandoned the programme… But, in my view, if Blue Flag is accepted by the tourism industry as a way to add weight to marketing a destination, I see no reason why we should not be part of the programme.
“Against the groundswell of support for the programme from the national and provincial departments of tourism, as well as the industry, I will strongly recommend to council to reconsider the municipality’s decision,” said Sithole.
Tourism industry organisations, the Federated Hospitality Association of SA (Fedhasa), and the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry have hailed the move. “This is fantastic news… We’ve always been in favour of Blue Flag status for our beaches as it is an international recognised accreditation programme,” said Fedhasa regional manager, Warren Ozard. “The provincial department has already put out its Beach Management Policy, which urges coastal municipalities to adopt the Blue Flag programme,” he said.
Durban Chamber CEO Andrew Layman said: “We fully support Blue Flag status for Durban’s beaches… it is internationally recognised and will be good for Durban.”
The Wildlife and Environmental Society of SA, which runs the Blue Flag programme, could not be reached for comment.
