Cape Town, a city renowned for its captivating landscapes and lively cultural scene, is betting on the cruise industry to boost its local economy. Alderman James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, recently spoke at the Cruise Tourism Workshop hosted by South African Tourism to emphasize the potential of the cruise sector.
The workshop brought together various stakeholders from across South Africa to discuss the potential benefits of the expanding cruise industry on the economy. Recognizing the value of the sector, the City of Cape Town had incorporated the expansion of the cruise market in its Tourism Development Framework (TDF) in 2019. Following the TDF’s adoption, the [Cruise Cape Town initiative](https://capetown.today/cape-towns-cruise-tourism-season-breaks-records) was established, supported by key organizations like Wesgro.
Cruise Cape Town aims to position Cape Town as a preferred destination for cruise tourism, providing technical assistance for ships and enhancing visitor experiences for passengers and crews.
Cape Town already attracts a significant number of tourists with its diverse attractions and accommodations. The addition of cruise tourism will further enhance the city’s economic status. Vos emphasized the importance of tourism, which is a top priority sector that attracts more flights, cruise ships, visitors, and investors, benefiting local businesses by increasing bookings and spending and generating job opportunities for residents.
In the past season alone, Cape Town received 70 ships, bringing over 145,000 passengers and 42,000 crew members, according to the Cruise Lines International Association’s State of the Cruise Industry 2023 report. Figures from Wesgro indicate that cruise tourism generates an annual economic impact of R300 million.
The economic benefits of cruise tourism are significant, including the spending power of passengers and crew, the shoreside staffing of cruise liners for tour operations, the expenditure by cruise lines on goods and services necessary for operations, and the spending on port services and maintenance.
The potential for growth in the cruise sector is enormous, with significant economic implications for the province and the country. The City of Cape Town is committed to working with its tourism partners and the V&A Waterfront to promote the region as a global destination for cruise tourism.
Tourism supports approximately 150,000 jobs in Cape Town, and the local government plans to invest in programs and projects that drive demand and make business sense. The dedicated cruise terminal, funded by the V&A Waterfront, has already proven to be a lucrative investment, showcasing a substantial return.
Through the development of the cruise industry, Cape Town not only empowers its communities economically but also shares the rich culture, natural beauty, adventure, luxury and heritage of South Africa with visitors from around the world.
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