City concerned that Home Affairs' cruise liner ruling will negatively impact tourism 

The City of Cape Town notes with concern the potential negative impact that the Department of Home Affairs' recent ruling barring cruise liners from the V&A Waterfront will have on tourism.

The Department's Director of Immigration for the Western Cape ruled that passenger liners will no longer be allowed to dock in the V&A Waterfront. With immediate effect, all passenger liners are to dock in the secured Duncan Dock.

At least 13 cruise ships (including the Silver Wind, National Geographic Explorer and Queen Mary) are scheduled to visit Cape Town between January and May 2012. Most of these ships would have docked in the V&A Waterfront. In 2011, 19 visiting cruise ships accounted for approximately 18 000 visitors to the V&A Waterfront.

"We are obviously uneasy about the possible impact of this ruling on Cape Town's status and reputation as a cruise tourism destination as well as on tourism revenues to the city. The City notes concerns about security risks underlying the decision. However, we will discuss the ruling with the relevant authorities to find a way to best serve Cape Town's tourism interests, without compromising the status of the port as a secured area," said the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Tourism, Events and Marketing, Councillor Grant Pascoe.

Statement issued by Councillor Grant Pascoe, Mayoral Committee Member for Tourism, Events and Marketing, City of Cape Town, January 12 2012

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