Cape Town cruise sector logs R5.7bn economic contribution over four seasons
Cruise tourism has contributed R5.7 billion to the Western Cape economy across four seasons, according to findings by StratEcon presented at Cruise Cape Town's Annual Review 2026. In the 2025/26 season alone, the sector added R1.35 billion to the provincial GDP, welcomed 106 240 passengers and 37 200 crew members across 64 vessels, and recorded the second-highest number of embarking and disembarking passengers on record. The Port of Cape Town was also named Africa's Leading Cruise Port by the World Travel Awards for the fourth consecutive year.
Over the four-season period, the industry supported an annual average of 7 875 full-time equivalent jobs, generated R2.76 billion in household income, and contributed R791 million to the national fiscus. Regional reach is expanding through the Southern Africa Cruise Alliance, which brings together partners in Namibia, Angola, St Helena and the Seychelles to develop multi-country itineraries. Rovos Rail has joined as the latest private-sector partner, aiming to connect cruise arrivals with premium land-based travel experiences across South Africa. The 2026/27 season is already under way.
Source: Cape Town Etc