Infrastructure News: SA cruise ports up for World Travel Awards

The ports, which are operated by Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA), have been nominated for the Africa and Indian Ocean segment of the 25th annual World Travel Awards in the category of “Africa’s Leading Cruise Port 2018”.

The Ports of Durban, Cape Town and Port Elizabeth will go up against Kenya’s Port of Mombasa and Tanzania’s Ports of Dar Es Salaam and Zanzibar at a gala awards ceremony at Durban’s Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre on Saturday, 6 October 2018.

A huge honour

Commenting on the nominations TNPA Chief Executive, Shulami Qalinge said to have been nominated for the annual World Travel Awards is a huge honour for TNPA.

“It means that the work we have put into positioning Durban and Cape Town as stimulus cruise home ports is being recognised, while the Port of Port Elizabeth is also taking its rightful place on the map for luxury world cruise tourism.”

South Africa’s growth as a cruise destination sees its ports increasingly feature on the itineraries of luxury cruise line operators.

Positive socio-economic spin-offs

Annual escalations in the number of visitors and liners have afforded TNPA, and the country at large, positive socio-economic spin-offs such as tourism development, job creation, skills development and supplier development.

“We are delighted to have welcomed more than 20 luxury cruise ships operated by 17 international cruise lines to South Africa’s six cruise ports during the 2017/18 cruise season.

“Through port concessions TNPA is also making it possible for private operators to use their expertise to ensure that South Africa earns its slice of the global luxury cruise sector, which is one of the fastest growing segments in the tourism industry,” said Qalinge.

Cast your vote

Members of the public have until 19 August 2018 to vote for their favourite to be in line to take the prestigious title home.

To cast your vote for the Port of Durban, Port of Cape Town or Port Elizabeth, register an account on  https://www.worldtravelawards.com/vote.

A verification email will be sent to your email account and you will need to click the verification link before you can login to cast your vote. Check your junk mail folder if you do not receive the verification email in your inbox.

Select ‘Africa’ as the region and the category of ‘Africa’s Leading Cruise Port’ to vote.