Africa's First Cruise Forum Underway in Durban
The first ever Seatrade Africa Cruise Forum opened its doors yesterday to over 180 delegates, gathering from 15 countries for in-depth conference discussion on the region’s cruise market development, and workshops between regional destinations and cruise line decision makers.
Setting the scene, Seatrade’s Chairman, Chris Hayman said, ‘The Seatrade Africa Cruise Forum in Durban is the first event of its kind to spotlight Africa’s current role and great future potential in cruise tourism. As the globalisation of cruise ship deployment continues, Africa represents the next frontier in the expanding geography of the cruise industry.’
Key cruise line decision-makers from a cross section of the major brands, including Silversea, Azamara, Seabourn, The World, Princess, MSC Cruises, Fred. Olsen, Holland America Line, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity gathered in Durban on Monday evening for a dinner hosted by the Cruise Indian Ocean Association and the Province of KwaZulu-Natal, Seatrade’s organising partners for this groundbreaking event.
Commitment to work together and develop potential
During Wednesday’s robust conference sessions, cruise line speakers demonstrated a strong commitment to the region as well as a willingness to work together to resolve issues affecting development, namely the ongoing threat posed by piracy off the north eastern and central African coast and the changing geopolitical landscape in the north of the continent.
Neil Palomba, Corporate Operating Officer for MSC Cruises, which has seasonally deployed ships in South Africa for more than a decade, has seen local passenger traffic grow to over 120,000 this past season and a gradual extension of South African itineraries to include Mozambique, Madagascar, Reunion, Mauritius and Namibia. 'However, we need more and better port facilities and a greater range of shore excursions,' he said, to grow the market further. Palomba urged stakeholders to work together to address this expansion.
Silversea has been visiting the region on world cruise programs for over a decade, normally staying for eight to ten weeks annually from January to March. ‘Africa is one of the most highly rated of those destinations we visit,’ noted Mary Shaw-Delaney, Director Shoreside Programs, ‘and guests are clamouring for more.’
Claudius Docekal, Manager of Deployment & Destinations for Azamara Club Cruises, said, 'Africa holds great potential particularly when cruise lines are looking at new winter destinations.'
The World is visiting Southern Africa for three months (November 2011 to February 2012) so our guests are not in a hurry when taking land experiences, remarked David Vass, Director Destination and Enrichment Services of The World. ‘Our residents love South Africa and the Seychelles and we have been here three times in nine years,’ he said.
Crystal, Silversea, Spirit of Adventure and Fred. Olsen are amongst a growing list of lines operating itineraries originating in South African ports and sailing up the west and east coasts. 'As a destination and as a source market Southern Africa has great potential and this is why we have supported this historic event to see how we can move it forward,' said James Seymour, KwaZulu-Natal General Manager Tourism Information.
Last night delegates were treated to a nautically themed gala dinner, sponsored by Transnet.
This afternoon a programme of workshops will foster and develop relations between regional destinations and the numerous cruise lines in attendance. Pre-scheduled, one-to-one meetings will give participants a unique chance to present their products and services to the people making decisions on ship deployment in the region.
The Seatrade Africa Cruise Forum is organised by Seatrade under the auspices of the Cruise Indian Ocean Association and the Province of KwaZulu Natal. The event is sponsored by The Abercrombie & Kent Group of Companies, Durban Invest, Express Shipchandlers, Intercruises, Springbok Atlas and Transnet, with South African Airways as official carrier.