Cape Town and the Western Cape has achieved a record-breaking cruise tourism season, dominated by high-spend source markets including the USA, Germany, and the UK.
Commencing in October 2022 and wrapping in May 2023, the past season has welcomed 145 000 cruise passengers as well as 42 000 crew members to the Cape’s shores.
In total, the 2022/2023 season welcomed 75 ships with 41 so-called ”turnaround visits” – this is double the number of ship calls when compared to the last complete season in 2019/2020, which saw 39 ship visits with an estimated 42 000 arriving passengers.
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The Cape Town Cruise Terminal also enjoyed the arrival of five new ships to the port this season.
The port also saw three ships conduct a turnaround visit on the same day for the very first time, and did so successfully on five separate occasions this season.
Turnaround visits are particularly attractive to the destination, as they arrive at a port at the end of one cruise and prepare for the start of another.
During the turnaround, the ship undergoes a complete cleaning and restocking process – creating an opportunity for local products to be on-boarded to the ship, further contributing to the destination’s economy.
Disembarking passengers traditionally take post-cruise tours, with new passengers seizing the opportunity to explore the destination pre-boarding the ship.
📢 NEWSFLASH | Cape Town toasts to a record high 2022/23 cruise tourism season 🛳️🥂
🛳️ The past season has welcomed 145 000 cruise passengers as well as 42 000 crew members to the Cape’s shores
Read the full statement ➡️: https://t.co/LHerOiA3sC #CruisCapeTown #CapeConfidence pic.twitter.com/bMZIccLryF
— Wesgro – Cape Town & the Western Cape (@Wesgro) May 8, 2023
Wesgro CEO and the official spokesperson for Cruise Cape Town Wrenelle Stander says the success of the past cruise season speaks to the untapped potential held by this very lucrative sector.
“The Cruise Cape Town initiative is currently conducting a comprehensive Economic Impact Study, which is expected to be finalised in the coming months. We are confident the results will demonstrate the significant economic impact and job creation potential of the sector. Together with our partners, we look forward to continuing to support the cruise industry.”
CEO of the V&A Waterfront, David Green, says as the operator of the terminal, the Waterfront will continue to invest in an improved traveler experience at the terminal.
“The return of a full cruise season to the city has been a remarkable success, testament to the hard work all of the role-players involved in Cruise Cape Town. It’s been exciting to welcome back local and international cruise including the iconic world cruises such as the Queen Mary 2, highlighting the value of our destination to the choice of global traveler experiences.”
The Western Cape MEC for Finance and Economic Opportunities, Mireille Wenger, says she looks forward to working with all stakeholders to attract even more cruise ships to the province, as it is a major contributor to the economy.
The City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, James Vos, says every passenger, crew member, and ship that hits Cape Town’s shores is a boon to the local economy and helps the City to fulfil its mission of creating a tourism-related job in every household in the metro.
