May 18, 2012
NEWS
Cruises to boost South African Tourism
By: E-TA Staff | December 10,2010
Durban beach
The development of cruise tourism would advance South Africa’s reputation as a world class globally spirited tourism destination.
South Africa Tourism board has recognized cruise tourism among the foremost promising key players in growing the economy of South Africa.
Over the last three decades the global cruise tourism industry has undergone substantial growth, going up from carrying 1.4 million passengers in 1980 to an approximate 15.4 million in 2009.
The Tourism Board insists on the South African government to invest heavily into this profitable market to further enhance South Africa’s reputation as a globally aggressive tourism destination.
The South African government will work very closely with the cruise operators of its country to ensure that packages and excursions are so planned to prompt passengers to visit South African shores enabling them to enjoy what the country has to offer and motivate other travellers in the process to visit the country.
The latest figures leave little doubt that over the last two decades tourism has appeared as a fast growing and helpful service sector in the economy of South Africa.
The country witnessed an increase of arrivals by11 percent from Europe, 21.8 per cent from the Middle East, 23.4 per cent from Australia, 25.1 per cent from North America, 159.4 per cent from Central and South America, 37.4 percent from Asia, and 13.6 per cent from the rest of the African continent.
