EThekwini Municipality and the Sharks rugby franchise are proud to announce that a deal was signed today, 18/06/2015 and the City of Durban is now the Official Tourism Partner of the Sharks on a national and international scale.
Scroll down for photos from the event…
The Mayor, Cllr James Nxumalo said forming a public private partnership with The Sharks is a momentous occasion for the City.
“The city leadership understands the importance of high level corporation in the promotion, support and leverage of the Sports Tourism industry, which is a growing global industry with significant economic implications on the destination. This partnership also augers well with the City’s plans of positioning Durban as a top sporting destination,” said Nxumalo.
Nxumalo said the partnership is a result of the forward thinking of our City and the vision to develop Sport brand leaders like the Sharks as a major tool to enhance the economy, attracting more events, increasing tourist arrivals and provide a global stage to showcase what the City of Durban has to offer.
“By forging this three year partnership with a financial investment of R 12, 7 million, the rewards are far greater and sustainable for Durban and our city can build even more momentum to attract major international games. Our strategy of Taking Durban to the World will be underpinned by the extensive global marketing of the Sharks Brand in key source markets with aggressive in-market activations that will take place in Australia, UK that will in the long term boost tourism for the city and the province,” Nxumalo added.
The partnership focuses on coverage on various media platforms, incorporating the R5 million worth of SuperSport coverage that Durban will benefit from to market key tourist attractions. The City will get additional coverage on the regular three minute slots on Shark Bite TV and media exposure on the Sharks Magazine and the Sharks website which is ranked in the top 21 in the world.
Commenting on the partnership, Sharks CEO John Smit said: “This partnership brings together two iconic Durban brands who share similar values and a pioneering spirit. It is our honour to closely align ourselves with Durban Tourism to showcase our City and what we have to offer on an international platform,” said Smit.
Smit added that the Sharks was looking forward to a successful and mutually beneficial partnership with the City of Durban.
The Sharks brand is recognised world-wide and is supported by a competitive team that plays exciting and entertaining rugby that appeals to a broad spectrum of rugby enthusiasts that comprise of almost 4 million fans across all races.
The City of Durban looks forward to taking Durban to the world through its partnership with the Sharks rugby franchise.
