Cruise tourism has emerged as one of the fastest-growing contributors to South Africa’s GDP, with Cape Town and the Western Cape posting record-breaking figures during the 2024/25 season. 

Acting Port Manager for the Port of Cape Town at Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA), Captain Alex Miya, described the sector as a rising force within the national economy, underpinned by consistent growth in vessel calls, passenger traffic, and spending.

According to the Western Cape Cruise Liner Industry Report, commissioned by Cruise Cape Town in association with Wesgro, the province hosted 79 cruise ships – 83 vessel arrivals – between September 2024 and June 2025, representing an 18% increase on the prior year. 

Passenger numbers rose 16% to 127,000, with long-haul world cruises accounting for 42 calls, reinforcing Cape Town’s status on international itineraries.

Total passenger and vessel expenditure climbed to R1.99 billion, up from R1.5 billion in 2023/24, contributing R1.79 billion to the provincial GDP. 

Miya noted that TNPA is “committed to providing world-class marine services to support this growth and to working with partners to position Cape Town as Africa’s premier cruise destination.”

The sector’s impact on employment was equally significant. The 2024/25 season created 1,234 direct full-time equivalent jobs in the Western Cape, increasing to 2,345 when multiplier effects were included. Retail and markets accounted for 44% of the roles, followed by hotels and restaurants (27%), tour operators (9%), and fuel bunkering (8%). 

Nationally, nearly 3,000 jobs were supported, with international visitors generating almost two-thirds of total passenger spending.

Wesgro CEO Wrenelle Stander said the results confirmed the industry’s role in stimulating growth: “With record passenger numbers and expenditure, the industry is showing its ability to create jobs and stimulate growth across the province.” 

Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism, Dr Ivan Meyer, added that the benefits range “from small family-owned businesses to major enterprises, with every visitor who steps ashore contributing to livelihoods across the province.”

The 2025/26 season is already underway, marked by the arrival of the luxury vessel The World. More than 70 cruise calls are scheduled in the months ahead. 

For TNPA, the challenge now lies in sustaining growth and expanding the country’s cruise profile. 

Miya said that the sector’s trajectory “confirms cruise tourism as one of the fastest-growing contributors to South Africa’s GDP through tourism,” reflecting the broader confidence of international operators in South Africa’s role on the global cruise map.