Cruise tourism injects R5.7 billion into Western Cape economy over four seasons

Cruise tourism has delivered R5.7 billion to the Western Cape economy over four cruise seasons, with new figures highlighting the sector’s growing role in supporting jobs, household incomes and businesses across the province, ***Cape {town} Etc ***reports.

The findings, conducted by StratEcon and presented at Cruise Cape Town’s Annual Review 2026, show that the industry contributed R1.35 billion to the provincial gross domestic product (GDP) during the 2025/26 season alone.

Beyond the headline figures, the cruise industry supports a network of businesses, from restaurants and retailers to tour operators and transport providers, that benefit when international visitors arrive in Cape Town and other coastal destinations.

Cape Town cruise season attracts more than 100 000 passengers

During the 2025/26 season, the Port of Cape Town welcomed 64 vessels carrying 106 240 passengers and 37 200 crew members. Although the season was affected by cancellations linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, international passenger numbers remained above the levels recorded in the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons.

The latest season also recorded the second-highest number of embarking and disembarking passengers on record, underlining Cape Town’s appeal as a destination for international cruise travellers. The port’s standing in the industry received another boost when the World Travel Awards named it Africa’s Leading Cruise Port for the fourth consecutive year.

The economic impact study paints a picture of an industry that contributes well beyond visitor numbers. Between the 2022/23 and 2025/26 seasons, cruise tourism supported an annual average of 7 875 full-time equivalent jobs and generated R2.76 billion in household income. It also contributed R791 million to the national fiscus.

For 2025/26, total industry expenditure reached R1.47 billion. The sector supported an estimated 1 700 full-time equivalent jobs in the Western Cape and 2 151 nationally.

Wrenelle Stander, CEO of Wesgro, said the cumulative contribution demonstrated the value of cooperation between government and private-sector partners.

‘A cumulative contribution of R5.7 billion over four seasons shows what is possible when government, industry and private sector partners work together to unlock tourism growth.’

– Wrenelle Stander, CEO of Wesgro.

Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism Dr Ivan Meyer said the results aligned with the provincial government’s Growth for Jobs Strategy.

‘Over four seasons, the sector has generated R2.76 billion in household income, supporting economic growth and creating jobs across the province.’

– Dr Ivan Meyer, Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism

While Cape Town remains the main gateway for cruise tourism in the province, the benefits are not confined to the Mother City. Cruise ship visits to smaller coastal destinations, including Mossel Bay, Hermanus and Saldanha Bay, generated a further R11.2 million in visitor spending during the 2025/26 season.

World cruises remained the industry’s largest contributor to GDP, highlighting the importance of itineraries that bring international travellers to the region. Cape Town Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth Alderman James Vos said cruise visitors supported spending across the city’s attractions, restaurants, shops and local businesses.

‘By growing this sector, we can create more opportunities for small businesses, support local communities and move closer to our vision of a job in every home.’

– Alderman James Vos, Cape Town Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth

Wesgro is looking to build on the industry’s growth by attracting strategic investment and strengthening Southern Africa’s appeal as a cruise destination.

One initiative is the Southern Africa Cruise Alliance, established with partners in Namibia, Angola, St Helena, and the Seychelles. The alliance aims to develop multi-country itineraries, attract additional cruise lines and spread tourism spending across more coastal communities.

Cruise Cape Town has also welcomed Rovos Rail as its latest private-sector partner. The partnership is intended to connect cruise arrivals with premium rail journeys and other land-based travel experiences across South Africa.

Rovos Rail director and chief operating officer Tiffany Vos-Thane said the collaboration could encourage visitors to explore more of the country after arriving by ship.

‘By connecting cruise tourism with premium land-based travel experiences, we can encourage visitors to stay longer, spend more and explore further across the country.’

– Tiffany Vos-Thane, Rovos Rail director and chief operating officer.

The approach could help turn a cruise stop into a longer South African holiday, giving destinations beyond Cape Town more opportunities to benefit from international tourism spending.

The next cruise season is under way

The 2026/27 cruise season is already in progress, with Cruise Cape Town marking the occasion through an official plaque exchange with the Swan Hellenic vessel SH Diana, which docked at the Cape Town Cruise Terminal this week.

With billions of rand in economic activity linked to cruise tourism over the past four seasons, the next challenge will be to sustain that momentum while ensuring more businesses and communities share in the benefits.

The latest figures suggest that cruise tourism has become a significant contributor to the Western Cape’s visitor economy, with regional partnerships and longer itineraries offering potential avenues for further growth.

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**Picture: **Jose Parra / Pexels

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