ONE of the world's largest beach and watersport festivals, Durban's 10-day Ocean Action Festival, may soon be involved in a legal wrangle after Durban Africa put in a bid to host a similar festival in the same area at the same time.
The Ocean Action Festival, which incorporates the world-famous Gunston 500 international surfing competition, is held annually in July and has become a major tourism drawcard since its inception by A Enterprises nine years ago.
According to A Enterprises director, Alec Lenferna, the festival drew 1,4 million people last year, 5% of who were international tourists.
He says the economic impact on the city was estimated at approximately R420m as a result of last year's event.
Lenferna told Travel Now he had been informed only on February 28 this year about Durban Africa's bid to host the Durban International Beach Games at the same time as the Ocean Action Festival and along the same 1,2km stretch of beach.
"If they get the bid - a decision will be taken by the Durban Metropolitan Council later this month - our event will become a thing of the past," he says.
It appears as if the Durban Metro will establish an event corporation to host the event in conjunction with Durban Africa, should the bid be approved.
This is according to Lenferna, although this could not be confirmed as both Durban Africa and Durban Metro chose not to comment at this stage.
He also says that the Durban Metro was one of the major sponsors of the previous event and that other leading sponsors Vodacom, have indicated that they will not be sponsoring the Ocean Action Festival but were looking to sponsor the Durban International Beach Games.
"We will take a decision about whether we'll get involved in a legal battle or not when we hear what the Metro's stand is," says Lenferna.
Durban Africa's chief executive officer, Josie Rowe-Setz, told Travel Now that she had been advised not to comment, but indicated that a press release explaining their decision would soon be forthcoming.
(Adele Mackenzie)
