Remarks by the KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Economic Development and Tourism, Michael Mabuyakhulu on the occasion of the sea cruise tourism forum held at Zimbali, Durban

Programme director;
Captains of the sea cruise industry;
Dignitaries present;
Ladies and gentlemen;
All protocol observed.

On behalf of the provincial government and the people of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), we wish to take this opportunity to extend a hearty welcome to all the dignitaries who have descended on our province for this historic conference which is being held for the first time in our province.

As a province we are delighted that you have chosen KwaZulu-Natal to host such an important event, which highlights the importance of the cruise tourism industry on the tourism landscape. Not only do such events help to profile our province, but they also assist to expose the world to the gamut of tourism offerings in our province and help to keep KwaZulu-Natal on the world tourism map.

As many of you are aware, this forum comes exactly a day after we hosted the 2011 Indaba which ended yesterday. Before that we hosted, for the first time, the Hotel Investment Conference Africa which also proved a success, and confirmed what we have always maintained that our province is a conferencing destination of choice on the African continent.

But more importantly, the phenomenal success of all these events sends a strong message that our province is a key player in the tourism sector. It is history now that last year our country hosted what was described as the best Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) World Cup ever in the history of this sporting extravaganza.

The Fifa World Cup has given this country the biggest exposure in terms of marketing our tourism products and ensuring that South Africa remains one of the critical players in the tourism sector. We can say without any fear of contradiction that we are now beginning to reap the benefits of hosting this sporting spectacle.

Programme director, the cruise tourism industry has emerged as one of the biggest in the world over the years. According to conservative figures, the value of this sector in terms of direct tourism expenditure is in excess of 29 billion US dollars and this industry employs thousands of people globally. It is because of this reason that as a province, we have over the past few years, worked hard to ensure that in the smorgasbord of our tourism products, cruise tourism becomes one of the critical pillars around which to develop the tourism industry.

In order to ensure that this becomes a reality, we have developed a strategy and an action plan to develop the cruise tourism potential of our province and the rest of the East Coast of Africa. As many of you are aware, KwaZulu-Natal is not only an active member of the Cruise Indian Ocean Association, but we are part of the secretariat of this body.

Our province is unique in that it has more than 900 kilometres of pristine coastline which we have no doubt that if exploited to its fullest can bring tangible benefits not only to the people of this province but to the country as a whole. To us, in the galaxy of our tourism offerings, cruise tourism is like a newly discovered star which, if fully exploited, can shine the brightest.

It is because of this reason that last year, our government launched the cruise tourism report, which looked at how we can take advantage of the benefits offered by this industry. But more importantly the report was aimed at ensuring that in diversifying our tourism offerings, cruise tourism becomes one of the focal points of future growth in the tourism industry.

Already we are beginning to see the tangible benefits brought by this industry. Durban had more than 60 port of calls this past season and more than 100 000 passengers embarked on cruises out of the city during the aforementioned season.

Also many passengers stayed in hotels before and after the cruise while others stayed on longer for holidays. This confirms that cruise tourism has a multiplier effect. But having said this, this does not anyway mean that this industry does not have its own fair share of challenges.

Chief among these has been the issue of piracy and the development of infrastructure.

As government we have pledged to work hand in hand with the industry to ensure that we help it to overcome these challenges. We have no doubt that you have heard about the new terminal which will be built in Durban and which will be a boon for this industry. This initiative is just one of many which are aimed at ensuring that we put our money where our mouths are to help this industry weather the challenges buffeting it.

As government we have also committed ourselves to work with all the stakeholders to make sure that the regulatory environment, while achieving the intended outcomes, is not burdensome to the industry. Government’s imperative to regulate the environment is one that we will pursue but, in doing so, we will be guided by an equally important objective of ensuring that this industry grows in leaps and bounds.

Practicality, at all times, will be our guiding light. We also want to assure all the dignitaries gathered here tonight that we will work hard to ensure that we remove all the administrative blockages so that this industry can be able to realise its potential. In this regard, just this morning we formally launched the first of its kind in the country, Investment Protocol, a document which is aimed at assisting all prospective investors who want to invest in our province about what they should look out for. This is a document whose implementation will be monitored by Cabinet, in the form of its Secretary who is also the Director-General of our province.

We also want to assure you that in us you have a partner who will work with you to grow this industry, understanding that the spoils that will accrue out of this partnership will be shared by all of us. Through our province’s public entities, including Tourism KZN, Trade and Investment KZN as well as the Convention Bureau and various government departments, this industry has a direct line to the highest echelons of the leadership of our province whose mission is to service this industry to ensure its continued growth. Let us, therefore, utilise all the platforms at our disposal to engage, exchange ideas and deal with our challenges, all in pursuit of a sea trade industry that thrives in the province of KwaZulu-Natal.

In conclusion, we want to thank this industry for choosing our province to host this conference. May you, during your stay in this beautiful province of KwaZulu-Natal, find time to savour some of the tourism features that make KwaZulu-Natal a unique tourism experience.

I thank you.

Source: KwaZulu-Natal Economic Development and Tourism