Major national sporting events take centre stage at this year's Splash Festival in Nelson Mandela Bay.
The official programme was unveiled on Monday and according to the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality's Executive Director of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Noxolo Nqwazi, R2.5m "has been set aside for four-day event".
Nqwazi said the municipality wants to use events such as the Splash Festival to reposition the city as a destination of choice.
Executive Mayor, Athol Trollip said the municipality had increased it's offering of business stalls from 40 to 150, adding that more local acts will have employed for this year's festival.
"That's an opportunity for people to come and purchase from local arts and crafters and entrepreneurs but we are also increasing the component of local artists. This year we've got a massive component up to over 40 local artists that we will be employing to come entertain our local tourists and tourists from the region and the rest of the province are going to be entertained by local artists. That will give them exposure and it gives them some income. So are really focused on marketing the whole package of Nelson Mandela (Bay)" He said.
In a statement Trollip also emphasised the importance of "heightening the standard each time the Metro hosted an event", saying this showcases the city's capabilities, its beauty and abundance of varied offerings for tourists.
"We are a capable city and have over the years shown our strength and level of professionalism every time we hosted high profile events. This city is committed to improving facilities and by next summer season, there should be a visible change and improvement in our public facilities," Trollip added.
He said the no-alcohol policy at the event also helped minimise incidents related to alcohol abuse and as such only a handful of minor incidents, such as petty-theft, were reported last year.
Trollip also added that the newly appointed Metro Police would work in tandem with SAPS to ensure safety and security "is maximised" during the event.
