THE establishment of the Events Corporation by Durban's Metro Council is part of the city's strategy to position itself as a high-profile international and national events destination and the newly-formed corporation has already negotiated two major international events for the city.
This according to Rob Bolton, Events Corporation chairperson, who told Travel Now he'd managed to negotiate that Durban be the annual host city for the International Rugby Board's (IRB) Seven-a-Side world matches involving 20 countries and an international broadcast deal on at least eight cable stations.
"We have a contract to host this annual event for the next three years with the option of hosting it for the following three years as well."
Bolton says he is also currently negotiating with a "major international television network" to host a month-long international music festival in the city in September next year.
The annual international Ocean Action Beach Festival will also be handled by Events Corporation, in conjunction with cell phone giant Vodacom, and will be known by its new name, Beach Africa.
Events Corporation will focus on Durban's strong points and profile the city on cultural and sporting events.
"We will also focus strongly on training local events organisers to handle major national and international events."
An amount of R10m has been allocated by the Metro Council for the staging of major events in the city.
(Adéle Mackenzie)
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