The City Cape Town remains supportive of the construction of a dedicated cruise liner terminal despite a recent study that showed it would not be financially viable. The study, conducted by Cape Town’s tourism, events and marketing directorate, showed that the planned terminal would stand idle for parts of the year and would therefore have little value.
The directorate’s Theuns Vivian, was quoted in the Cape Argus as saying that while cruise activities had increased in the past 10 years and passenger volumes had doubled, South Africa accounted for only 0.6% of global passenger activity. “This is negligible, with limited growth potential.”
Vivian was further quoted as saying: “The outcome of the study indicates that major capital investment in infrastructure must be preceded by major increases in cruise tourism figures, and that the seasonality of this market requires a terminal facility that can be used for other purposes during long periods of low or no cruise passenger usage.”
The City of Cape Town has distanced itself from these findings.
“I would like to make it very clear that the views expressed by the officials concerned do not in any way represent those of the City,” Patricia de Lille, mayor of the City of Cape Town, told eTNW.
According to de Lille, the findings of the study concerned have been misrepresented and the statements made were wholly ignorant of the importance of this sector to the economic growth of Cape Town. “The City unequivocally supports the need for a dedicated cruise liner terminal, as we believe it is essential to growing the tourism market and, as a result, job creation in Cape Town.”
De Lille added that Cape Town remained committed to working with the Ports Authority and the V&A Waterfront to support this important growth sector in the tourism industry.
Tracey Krog, commercial manager for Cruises International, said a new terminal would be beneficial to the cruise and tourism industry in SA. “Cape Town is becoming a flag-ship port in the international cruise calendar.”
Alan Winde, minister of economic opportunities, added that seasonality was not unique to the cruising industry. He told eTNW: “Seasonality impacting our tourism industry is a standard problem you have to consider whether you’re building a hotel or, in this case, a new cruise-liner terminal. Any company in this open bid process should factor in the issue of seasonality. I know Transnet was set to make an announcement in November. I trust that this is still happening and I’ll be looking forward to news on the latest development.”
David Green, ceo V&A Waterfront, says the V&A has submitted a proposal to lease, invest in and operate a terminal in the Port. This bid was submitted to Transnet, who have yet to adjudicate on the bids and make the award.
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