Cruise industry gives Western Cape economy R1.32bn boost

The cruise industry contributed R1.32-billion to the Western Cape economy during the 2023/24 season, up from R1.2-billion in the previous season, despite a slight drop in ship calls.

This is according to Cruise Cape Town, powered by Wesgro, as it released the Western Cape Cruise Liner Industry 2023/24 Season Report.

The report, now in its second year, provides an analysis of the cruising season from November, 2023 to June, 2024.

While the number of ship calls – scheduled stops in the Western Cape – fell slightly from 70 in the previous season to 67 in the 2023/24 year, the economic contribution increased, highlighting the spending power of cruise passengers.

During the season, 1 096 full-time equivalent jobs were directly created within the cruise and tourism industries in the region, with the multiplier effect bringing this total to 1 965 jobs.

Forty-seven per cent of these jobs were in retail and markets. The hospitality sector accounted for 31%, followed by business services, such as tour operators, at 6%.

Fuel bunkering accounted for 5%, with the remaining jobs spread across sectors such as port services, transportation and water provision.

‘‘The cruise industry serves as more than just a tourism driver – it’s a catalyst for a range of economic activities,” says Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism Dr Ivan Meyer.

“From transport and hospitality to local craft and wine industries, the benefits extend throughout the Western Cape. As more passengers disembark and explore our province, the local economy thrives.’’

“Cape Town’s cruise industry has rapidly become a cornerstone of our tourism sector, thanks to the collaborative efforts of the Cruise Cape Town initiative,” adds City of Cape Town Economic Growth MMC James Vos.

The Port of Cape Town was recognised as Africa’s Leading Cruise Port at the thirty-first Annual World Travel Awards, held earlier this year.