As the 2024/25 cruise season navigates to a close, Cruise Cape Town is celebrating an unprecedented season, one that has firmly established the city and its surrounds as a premier destination for cruise liners, Cape {town} Etc reports.
With a total of 83 ship calls this season, including 11 inaugural visits, Cape Town is riding a wave of success that highlights the region’s burgeoning stature within the global cruise sector.
March was particularly outstanding, as Cruise Cape Town recorded a historic 22 ship visits, the highest number seen in a single month this season.
Furthermore, the Port of Mossel Bay welcomed 15 cruise ship calls, adding to the region’s impressive tally. Such figures are not just numbers on a page; they represent a growing momentum as Cape Town works towards its ambitious goal of doubling tourism by 2035, according to Wrenelle Stander, CEO of Wesgro.
‘These figures underscore Cape Town and the Western Cape’s growing stature as a leading cruise destination on the African continent, In working towards greater impact and long-term benefits for destinations, Cruise Cape Town is a catalytic project that significantly nurtures the cruise economy in the area,’ said Stander.
The economic impact of cruise tourism during the 2023/24 season is undeniable, with contributions soaring to R1.32 billion and approximately 2 000 jobs supported within the local economy.
From tour operators to artisanal vendors, the positive fallout reverberates across industries, facilitating tangible growth for local businesses and cementing Cape Town’s position as a globally competitive tourism destination.
The Cape Town Cruise Terminal also celebrated a 16% increase in passenger and crew numbers compared to the previous season. The season culminated with the departure of the Crown Princess on June 29, signalling not just the end of a successful campaign but a forward glance towards what lies ahead.
David Green, CEO of the V&A Waterfront responsible for operating the Cruise Terminal, reflected on the significance of inaugural ship visits, articulating that each new arrival represents an opportunity to forge enduring partnerships.
‘Our world-class infrastructure, combined with Cape Town’s breathtaking landscapes and rich tapestry of experiences, positions us as a must-visit stop on any global cruise itinerary,’ Green stated.
Arguably, the most notable moment of the season was the arrival of Cunard’s illustrious Queen Anne on April 10, marking her first visit to South African shores.
This event is particularly significant, following last year’s landmark occasion when Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria docked together, an unprecedented feat in African maritime history.
Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development, and Tourism, Dr Ivan Meyer, praised the cruise sector’s potency in job creation.
‘Cruise tourism dovetails neatly with our Growth for Jobs Strategy, With 2,000 jobs supported and over a billion rand injected into the economy in the previous season, the cruise industry is achieving our vision for a thriving, inclusive, and resilient Western Cape.’
Mayco member for Economic Growth, Alderman James Vos, echoed this sentiment, noting the collaborative effort between government and industry to promote Cape Town as a gateway to African cruise tourism.
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