FOLLOWING the back and forth on the issue of Durban’s iconic Hilton Hotel, it seems common sense has now prevailed.
It is set to re-open in March, according to the hotel group.
The decision came after group decided to close down more than 1,000 of its hotels around the world due to a reported steep decline in revenue brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021.
As a result, this prompted the eThekweni Municipality to ‘take over’ the hotel that was further fuelled by talks of the lease issue, amongst others.
City Manager Musa Mbhele, during the recent City Council meeting, remarked that there were plans for the City to take over the hotel, but this has since been clarified, thus prompting more confusion.
According to the City’s spokesperson Mandla Nsele, confirmed the hotel will be re-opened.
“The municipality wishes to clarify that the remarks made by the city manager, Musa Mbhele, regarding the Hilton Hotel was in reference to a provision within the Hilton Hotel’s title deed condition, stipulating its obligation to operate as a 5-star establishment. In the event of any deviation from this standard, the municipality reserves the option to seek redemption,” Nsele was quoted.
In 2021 eThekwini Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda, did confirm plans to re-open the iconic Hilton Hotel.
Nsele, further confirmed, while the specific operational details will align with the outlined provision, the establishment will continue as a hotel and the date for resumption of operation is at the end of March.
The hotel group was quoted as having not confirmed the date of the opening, but talks are at advanced stage to open in March this year.
Hilton senior manager for communications for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Manal Ismail confirmed: “We are currently in discussions with the ownership of Hilton Durban regarding the hotel’s re-opening and will provide updates in due course,” without committing on the date.
The re-opening of the establishment, nestled next to the popular Inkosi Albert Luthuli ICC, created jobs, both directly and indirectly.
As of 2019, the Hilton group owned and operated million rooms globally.
Since its closure in 2021 other hotels at the elite uMhlanga have burgeoned.
Local tourism owners in Durban gave the reopening of the hotel thumps up, as it would “give credence and resuscitation” to tourism in the City.
Meanwhile, the minister of Tourism Patricia De Lille is pleased with the injection of inbound travellers to mzansi.
The recent international arrivals from January to December 2023 underscores the rising momentum of South Africa’s tourism sector.
“International tourists from January to December totalled 8.5m, representing a remarkable 48.9% increase when compared with same period in 2022,” says De Lille.
She also emphasised the need to work with partners and government in facilitating policy and regulation revisions.
“Looking ahead we must unlock barriers such as visa regulations and limited air access and airlift for sustained growth.”
Image (The re-opening of iconic Hilton Hotel in Durban is much awaited).
