OPENING OF THE CRUISE SEASON SET TO BOOST DURBAN TOURISM ECONOMY
Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) is looking forward to a bumper 2023/24 cruise season at the Port of Durban as planned cruise liner calls are expected to drastically increase this season, from 16 vessels last season to 70 this season.
Today, the Port of Durban welcomed the first passenger liner to call at the port’s KwaZulu Cruise Terminal this season – Vasco Da Gama on her maiden voyage to Durban with 500 passengers on board. The increase in cruise vessel calls is set to significantly boost eThekwini Municipality’s economy and showcase Durban as a premier tourist destination.
The Port of Durban has been hard at work maintaining port infrastructure to ensure the safe navigation and berthing of all cruise vessels. Speaking at the official opening ceremony held at the KwaZulu Cruise Terminal, the TNPA Senior Specialist in the Office of the Managing Executive for the Eastern Region, Paul Sessions said: “we are excited to welcome Vasco Da Gama to our shores, and we look forward to seeing more cruise vessels dock at our flagship cruise terminal.
This bodes well for the cruise development investments that have been made by TNPA, the terminal operator and eThekwini Municipality into this tourism and recreational precinct. We encourage both local and international tourists to explore the rich heritage and beauty that makes
Durban the warmest place to be.”
eThekwini Municipality’s tourism authority, Durban Tourism, has commissioned a mobile kiosk to be stationed at the Durban cruise terminal this cruise season. This will assist all passengers with navigating Durban and tailor-making unique tourism experiences that the city has to offer. “The kiosk emanates from our continued partnership with KwaZulu Cruise Terminal and will offer our tourists a convenient way to engage with Durban Tourism and its subsidiaries. We are confident that we will exceed the 151 985 cruise passengers that we welcomed in the last season, enabling us to create seasonal job opportunities and support local businesses,” said Councillor Philisiwe Ndlovu, Deputy Chairperson for Economic Development and Planning Committee.
TNPA
