Cruise season starts with German ship
The possible direct boost from the cruise season for the Mossel Bay economy is R3 million per season and there is a R14,4 million boost for the Garden Route area per season.
This was according to the Mossel Bay Tourism Board chairman Mark Furness, speaking after this week's official launch of the cruise season in town on 6 November.
The first voyage to Mossel Bay for the cruise ship, Vasco da Gama, marked the start of the cruise season, which was celebrated with a launch function at the harbour.
A jovial group of traditional dancers and various stakeholder representatives welcomed ship master Michail Smyrnaios and passengers in a ceremony that created a warm and inviting atmosphere before most of the passengers departed to visit some of the Garden Route’s renowned tourism destinations.
“During the past year’s cruise season, the port welcomed a record-breaking 14 cruise vessels that made a significant contribution to the R1.2bn cruise tourism revenue generated by the Western Cape economy," said Mossel Bay port manager, Dr Dineo Mazibuko.
"This season, the port looks forward to hosting about 25 cruise vessels (Vasco da Gama included), weather permitting, that will cement the Port of Mossel Bay as a key and strategic cruise tourism enabler in the region, while simultaneously promoting the Garden Route district as an attractive cruise tourism destination.”
According to Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA), the Norwegian Jade and Silver Spirit will both arrive on 3
February; and the Norwegian Jade again and Renaissance on 10 March. Also, visits to Mossel Bay by Bolette, Norwegian Dawn, NG Explorer, Renaissance and SH Diana, will be highlights of the cruise season.
Furness thanked the ports authority, its staff and other stakeholders such as Mossel Bay Tourism and local business owners who continue to work hard to ensure Mossel Bay is a destination of choice for cruise liners.
He also made special mention of the cruise line organisers who choose Mossel Bay as a destination and noted the economic benefit for both the town and district.
Captain Vania Cloete, who was acting port manager that day, said the benefits of the cruise season reached communities by changing the status quo of the unemployed and uplifted the youth, who were eager to be exposed to better opportunities. "That makes one feel so proudly South African and appreciative of this global collaboration."