Minister Winde to Intensify Fight against Cruise Liner Ban at V&A Waterfront | Western Cape Government

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Minister Winde to Intensify Fight against Cruise Liner Ban at V&A Waterfront

16 January 2012

Media Statement by Alan Winde, Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism

At a meeting today attended by officials from the Home Affairs Immigration Office, National Intelligence Agency, Transnet Ports Authority and the Western Cape Government, it was restated by top immigration officials that cruise liners below 200 metres will not be permitted to dock at Jetty Two of the V&A Waterfront due to security concerns.

I am determined to see this decision reversed and will be taking this matter up with the National Minister of Home Affairs.

For 20 years, security and immigration procedures have been managed without incident at Jetty Two of the V&A Waterfront, and the sudden about turn by Home Affairs, with no permanent facility yet established in the main harbour and no firm plans to build one in place, is not in the interests of international passengers visiting the destination or of our tourism industry. It is also not in the interests of the new owners of the V&A Waterfront, the Public Investment Corporation, an entity that manages public sector funds.

There are two clear alternatives: cruise liner passengers can arrive safely, proceed through immigration and disembark at one of the country's foremost tourist locations, as they have done for decades without contravening immigration laws, or they can arrive amongst the containers at the cold storage yard of the Cape Town port.

The cruise ship industry is one of the fastest growing sectors in the world, accounting for over 13.5 million passenger trips a year, and the Western Cape wants to be a part of it. I have therefore requested a meeting with National Minister of Home Affairs, Ms Nkosizana Dlamini-Zuma, at her earliest convenience to fight this ban and ensure that cruise liner passengers visiting Cape Town receive the warmest welcome that we can provide. We look forward to engaging Minister Dlamini-Zuma to find a workable solution to this matter.

Media Enquiries: 

Tammy Evans
Spokesperson for Minister Winde
Cell: 082 378 2235
Tel: 021 483 4327
Follow Minister Winde at: www.twitter.com/alanwinde