DSTV Delicious International Food & Music Festival is all set to re-ignite Gauteng’s Tourism Recovery
Over 2000 Jobs, R268 million direct revenue: DSTV Delicious International Food & Music Festival is all set to re-ignite Gauteng’s Tourism Recovery
Johannesburg, Flavour, music, aromas and colours. Destination ‘Delicious’ here we come. This weekend, Gauteng Tourism Authority (GTA) will officially welcome the 8th edition of Gauteng’s leading lifestyle and entertainment properties – the Dstv Delicious International Food and Music Festival. Set to take place on the 24th – 25th of September at Kyalami Grand Prix, the event has, over the years, grown to become not only the golden province’s biggest tourism booster but of South Africa at large.
The return of the festival is expected to reignite tourism recovery following two years of plummeting tourism revenues, severe job losses in the sector, international and domestic travel restrictions, as well as gatherings and the hosting of events due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition to providing two days of jam-packed entertainment, the business end of the festival is what impresses the most. Beyond the fun, lifestyle, and music performances for over 60 000 spectators; the event is also expected to generate 268 million worth of rand value, activate 1230 job opportunities, 700 permanent jobs and a further R8-million estimated into the pockets of SMMEs who inclusively comprise of 300 food and beverage traders.
Adding to this, more than 2000 tickets have been sold from Botswana, and 600 local, regional, and international media will be hosted over the Heritage Weekend. “The event represents millions of Rands in local procurement and is a significant creator of jobs both directly and indirectly, which is exactly the key message we preach – buy local to create jobs,” says GTA CEO Sthembiso Dlamini.
With a careful mixture of local, regional, and overseas talent set to perform over that weekend, the DSTV Delicious International Food & Music Festival has also drawn visitors across Africa, the Middle East, and not forgetting locals who have been starved of quality proudly South African lifestyle, entertainment, and culinary experiences.
Likewise, the event will consequently generate revenue for local hotels, guest houses and transport businesses. “We have documented proof that the hosting of quality signature events drive increased tourist arrivals, better tourism revenue and builds a solid destination profile and brand equity as we journey together towards recovery”, adds GTA CEO Sthembiso Dlamini.
Before you start making your way to the internationally acclaimed Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit, remember there is always more to discover in the urban playgrounds of Gauteng. In the days leading up to the festival, the GTA has intensified its destination marketing efforts by hosting #DeliciousFridays activations at selected eateries, together with the many other experiences and tourism attractions to entice you enough to stay another day.
