Cruise tourism could boost SA economy
Johannesburg – South Africa’s economy may have hit turbulent waters, but its booming cruise tourism industry is poised to help turn the tide.
With cruise season in full swing – international leisure liners sailing into popular ports like Cape Town and Durban since late October – are bringing with them wealthy tourists, keen to splurge on cultural, tourism and gastronomic experiences unique to these coastal cities.
On a global scale, the luxury cruise ship market has burgeoned over the past 17 years from around five million passengers to more than 25 million.
The demand for cruising, according to the latest Cruise Lines International Association report increased by 62% from 2005 to 2015 and the bulk of passengers – with cash to splash – come from Europe, Canada and Brazil.
The South African government has recognised the value of foreign tourist spend, prompting the National Development Plan to earmark tourism as one of the main sustainable job-creating sectors in the economy.
Source: fin24.com