TILLS will be ringing across KwaZulu-Natal this weekend as the region reaps the benefits of the Vodacom Durban July at Greyville Racecourse on Saturday. In a flurry of spending, an estimated R200 million will change hands around the 112 year old horseracing event.

Despite the escalating oil price and the knock-on effect this had had on fuel and airline costs this does not seem to have impacted on the interest in the Vodacom Durban July.

“By and large the winter season has not been that great, however this weekend there is not an empty bed in town,” said Warren Ozard, FEDHASA’s Operations Manager for the East Coast. “Every flight, every hotel and every B&B is full, which says a lot about the Vodacom Durban July.”

“It is a fantastic attraction,” he added. “It’s no surprise that it has not been affected by the negatives like high fuel prices and skyrocketing airlines costs. People think nothing of flying in for the weekend for the Vodacom Durban July, and we see these visitors spending a lot of money at local restaurants and clubs.”

“These are exactly the sort of people that we want visiting Durban,” he added. “Plenty of businesses in the region, including the catering and hiring companies really benefit from the event and it is a major economic boost for the region.”

Airline bookings into Durban are in most cases overbooked, with eager passengers willing to go onto long waitlists to try and secure a flight to Durban for the weekend.

Hotels in the greater Durban area are either fully booked or close to capacity, with a large number of extravagant functions and parties planned for popular venues in the city to celebrate the Vodacom Durban July.

Around 20% of the visitors to the Vodacom Durban July each year travel from outside of the province to attend the raceday. Whilst they travel by road or air to Durban, the overwhelming majority book into hotels or local bed-and-breakfast establishments for two nights, providing a massive injection of revenue for the greater Durban hospitality industry.

“We have seen over the years that this is the one day in the year that punters and socialites regard as a very high priority,” said Gold Circle’s Event Marketing Manager Ken Tweddell. “Even with the pressure that everyone is feeling on their wallets, it seems that this is one occasion that no-one wants to do without.”

The fashion industry enjoys a bonanza triggered by socialites keen to make a sartorial impression at the Vodacom Durban July, and dress to the raceday’s theme. This year’s theme “It’s A Shore Thing” has proven to be a hit at the pre-raceday fashion competitions, where the marine theme provided waves of inspirations for designers.

All of the top designers approached reported that they were being inundated with requests for men’s and women’s outfits for the Vodacom Durban July, and most were referring these requests to other designers because they couldn’t cope with the demand.

“It’s the usual last minute rush,” said ace Durban designer Kathryn Kidger. “It seems that everyone wants something special to wear for the Vodacom Durban July, but there is a clear trend towards garments that are multifunctional and can be worn to other events as well.”

Department clothing stores and designer label outlets back up the designerssentiments, as a brisk trade in stylish raceday attire underscores the fact that the Vodacom Durban July has lost none of it’s elegance and appeal in the tough economic climate.

“We are into the seventh year of sponsoring the Vodacom Durban July and it is exciting to see that this great event continues to go from strength to strength,” said Dot Field, Vodacoms’ Group Communications Director.

“The event plays a significant role in supporting the national fashion community and it is an important contributor to the economy of the greater Durban region as well,” Field added.

Based on figures extrapolated from a detailed economic impact study done in 2006, it is estimated that around R120 million is generated around theVodacom Durban July, R90million of which will be spent on catering, hospitality, fashion and entertainment, as well as travel and accommodationfor the weekend.

Add to that consumer spending the massive amount of money that will be wagered on the twelve races on the racecard, which last year topped R90 million, and the grand total attributable to this year’s Vodacom Durban July looks set to top R200 million for the first time.

During last year’s record breaking raceday R92,1 million was wagered on the Tote nationally, with R36,6 million being bet on the actual Vodacom Durban July nationally.

The winter season attracts over 1,3 million holiday makers to KwaZulu-Natal, 30 000 of whom are international visitors. Tourism KZN identified the Vodacom Durban July as one of the principle draw cards for this influx of visitors.

The Vodacom Durban July will be run at Greyville Racecourse on Saturday 5 July. Further information about the event can be found at www.vodacomdurbanjuly.co.za.