One of the biggest Mediterranean Shipping Company vessels is expected to berth in Durban, breathing new life into the economy of KwaZulu-Natal with its exclusive “yacht club” offerings.
MSC South Africa MD Ross Volk said the arrival of the MSC Splendida, which can accommodate 4,200 passengers, in Durban, would be accompanied by a R30m upgrade to the Durban cruise terminal.
Volk was speaking at a business breakfast at the Elangeni hotel, which brought together captains of industry and tourism stakeholders before the official opening of Africa's Travel Indaba on Tuesday.
“This is a ship within a ship concept — the yacht club experience — boasting 71 cabins of ultra-luxury comprising private dining and private swimming pool and butlers. The cabins are a lot more luxurious and bigger than the standard cabins,” said Volk.
The shipping company is also investing about R25m in improving facilities in Mozambique.
“Not to be outdone, we are also spending R30m on the terminal in Durban to alleviate any congestion, thus ensuring better flow of passengers in embarking or disembarking,” said Volk.
The Durban terminal was built with 70% of suppliers being local. It was completed in December 2021 during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We are always on the lookout to secure new products from South Africa to put them on the ship and which in turn would facilitate growth of the country's economy,” said Volk.
According to Volk, the country possessed a fair number of competent professionals within the shipping and maritime space.
“South Africa has some wonderful opportunities that we need to explore. It’s not only about people but products such as meat, soft drinks, wine and fresh produce. All these things are important for a vessel in the grand scheme as we are running a cruise liner.”
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for economic development, tourism and environmental affairs Siboniso Duma said they were redoubling efforts to market the province. He said there were nine investment projects to increase tourism offerings across KwaZulu-Natal:
- the Durban Eye, a giant observation Ferris wheel that will offer a spectacular 360-degree panoramic view and serve as an iconic tourist attraction;
- Inyanda Amatata Tourism and Cultural Hub, which will create an affordable, accessible platform for culture to be commercialised for rural communities;
- Umkomazi River Resorts and Spa in the southern Drakensberg;
- the refurbishment of tourism amenities in the Balele Game Park in Newcastle;
- Umgababa Coastal Resort, under construction on the south coast;
- Dube Safaris Entertainment in Umlazi, Durban;
- Shakaland Hotel and Cultural Village project in uMlalazi, Eshowe;
- Shongweni Game Reserve and Dam on the outskirts of Durban — to upgrade existing facilities, introduce more water and nature-based activities, and cultural activities, events and conferences; and
- Woodstock Dam resort project in the Drakensberg
He said tourism buyers would also play a pivotal role in marketing the province.
According to Duma, there was a resurgence of air traffic activity at King Shaka International Airport, with SAA, Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways and Emirates flying long-haul routes directly to Durban.
Duma said regionally, flights from Zambia, Zimbabwe and Eswatini boosted connectivity.
“This opening of air access between Sadc countries will significantly boost traveller volumes between countries. As we continue to open air routes improving our connections to the African continent, we open doors for business across all sectors.”
Duma added the province was upgrading and developing nine airports to improve connectivity between cities and tourism areas.
“Tourism is the cornerstone supporting economic growth and job creation. We are a province with a lot of activism. We have beautiful mountains as well as a 600km coastline where we boast that we have two major hubs,” said Duma.
eThekwini mayor Mxolisi Kaunda said the 2023 edition of Africa's Travel Indaba came as the World Health Organisation declared Covid-19 was no longer a public health emergency after its devastating impact on the tourism sector.
“We now have an opportunity to revive businesses that were forced to close and bring hope to the people who lost their livelihoods,” said Kaunda.
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