Southern Africa: What Families Value When Visiting South Africa, According to Tourism Industry Analysis

Africa has long struggled to attract cruise liners, and now its focus is on securing the funds spent by passengers after arriving in port.

The port in Cape Town serves as a gateway to Cape Town City and the Waterfront. According to Wesgro, the official agency for promoting tourism, trade, and investment for Cape Town and the Western Cape, the 2026/27 cruise season began on September 17th with the arrival of the Pacific World, carrying 1,397 passengers, predominantly from Japan, and 655 crew members.

This arrival followed three years of rapid growth. In the 2022/23 season, Cape Town hosted 70 cruise ships, carrying approximately 78,000 passengers. By the 2024/25 season, this number increased to 79 ships and 127,000 passengers, according to the Seatrade Africa E-report.

The average annual increase in passenger numbers during this period was 16%, exceeding the industry's global average of 9%. The economic contribution grew parallel to the rise in passenger flow: cruise tourism brought R4.34 billion to the GDP of the Western Cape and R5.32 billion to the South African GDP over three seasons. Furthermore, the sector generated a cumulative income of R3.04 billion in foreign exchange earnings, according to Wesgro.

Tourist spending is not limited to the main terminal. Visitors to the Bo-Kaap area can participate in masterclasses at private kitchens of multi-generational chefs, learning the art of blending Cape Malay spices, rolling rotis, and baking authentic bobotie.

Changing the Onshore Experience

In Mossel Bay, Hermanus, and Saldanha Bay, 32,000 passengers were registered across 26 ship visits in the 2024/25 season, generating R47.5 million in local spending, according to the Seatrade report. This broader reach is becoming increasingly significant as ports invest in infrastructure and destinations develop new products for visitors.

The Cape Town cruise terminal at E-Berth is part of a R20 billion land redevelopment project. In 2025, Mossel Bay opened a new cruise reception area, and Saldanha Bay is moving towards official entry and exit port status.

The onshore experience is also transforming. Passengers can now travel from Cape Town to the heritage areas of Bo-Kaap, or take food and entrepreneurship tours in Lange and Hout Bay, or explore wineries around Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. In Ghana, cruise operators offer tours of the Cape Coast and Elmina heritage sites, including markets and drumming workshops.

This shift is crucial because cruise passengers have limited time ashore. A port capable of linking a ship's arrival with a range of local businesses and attractions has a greater opportunity to retain spending until the vessel departs.

Time Constraints

Kenya is actively developing this link with the country's safari economy. In March, the Kenya Wildlife Service introduced a 30% group incentive for cruise travelers visiting national parks, including Tsavo East, Tsavo West, and Amboseli.

Currently, about 20% of cruise passengers extend their trips to parks and reserves. The government aims to increase this figure to 40%, which could boost total park revenue by up to 40%. The program was developed in collaboration with Pollmans Tours & Safaris to streamline group excursions according to cruise schedules, while international operators such as Abercrombie & Kent are also being attracted to the market.

The economic benefits are already evident. Calculations by the Ministry of Tourism, cited by the Kenya News Agency, showed that a short cruise stop can generate around Sh50 million (equivalent to R6.45 million). A group of 70 tourists heading to Maasai Mara was valued at Sh23 million, injected into the economy in just a few hours. Kenya aims to attract KES 2 billion from 12,000 cruise tourists.

However, time remains the primary constraint. Passengers in Mombasa must clear customs, reach inland areas, and return before the ship departs. The shorter the stay, the more important transport, park access, and excursion planning become.

Opportunities are also changing as cruise itineraries become longer and more specialized. According to Seatrade, the number of expedition calls to Cape Town has risen from five in 2023/24 to 16 in 2024/25. These passengers typically spend more and book extended onshore programs more frequently.

European Cruise Service launched African Cruise Service in Walvis Bay at the end of 2025, another sign that operators see potential in increasing expedition and onshore products around African ports. AmaWaterways added four African safari and wildlife itineraries in August 2026, combining its Chobe River cruise with onshore programs covering destinations like Namibia, Kenya, and Victoria Falls. One itinerary combines a Chobe River cruise with Victoria Falls and the NamibRand Nature Reserve in Namibia, Etosha National Park, and Skeleton Coast. Another links the river cruise with Amboseli and Maasai Mara.

Namibia is working to strengthen Walvis Bay as a tourism gateway. In July, the Namibian Tourism Board and the Ministry of Internal Affairs gathered port authorities, tour operators, state institutions, and private sector players to improve passenger service and promote the country in the cruise sector. Products around Walvis Bay extend beyond wildlife: Harbour Sandwich, the Namib Desert, and other coastal and desert experiences give passengers ways to spend money outside the terminal.

Visa Waivers for Short Stays

West Africa is showing another story of growth. In 2024, Cabo Verde welcomed 110,554 cruise passengers across 250 calls, compared to 86,945 passengers and 171 calls in 2023, according to Seatrade.

Global Ports Holding expanded its African operations to Mindelo in 2025 after initially entering the continent through La Guette in Tunisia. These investments integrate one of Africa's fastest-growing cruise markets into a major global port operator network.

Benin is strengthening its position in the Gulf of Guinea. The arrival of Seabourn Sojourn in 2025 marked a significant return of international cruise tourism after several years of limited activity. Benin is now waiving visa requirements for cruise passengers staying less than 72 hours and plans to create a dedicated cruise berth by 2027. This visa policy removes one of the biggest obstacles to short cruise visits, allowing passengers to quickly transition from the ship to local tourist experiences without undergoing the same entry procedure as long-term guests.

Mozambique is trying to distribute the value of cruise arrivals through Maputo. The port expects 15 cruise calls and nearly 16,000 visitors in 2026. Authorities are coordinating arrivals with the National Tourism Institute and FEIMA, where passengers can purchase local handicrafts and experience Mozambican cuisine and culture. In 2024, Mozambique hosted nine cruise ships carrying 4,492 tourists; approximately 2,069 passengers disembarked to visit attractions and spend money on local experiences.

Tanzania has also shown rapid tourism growth. By April 2025, the country recorded 5.3 million visitors, exceeding the target of five million, and tourist arrivals from January to May reached 794,102 people, a 54.3% increase over pre-pandemic levels. Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar are the country's main cruise gateways, hosting ships such as Seabourn Sojourn, Europa, Norwegian Dawn, and Viking Sky in 2025. From Dar es Salaam, short safari programs can connect cruise passengers with Mikumi and Ngorongoro National Parks.

Seychelles Islands include the economy in its national strategy. The island nation registered 41 cruise calls in the 2025/26 season, up from 35 in the previous season, including eight first-time calls. Its tourism authorities are targeting smaller, premium, and expedition vessels as part of a drive toward higher-yield cruise tourism. A UNECA cost-benefit analysis estimates that cruise tourism could directly contribute US$531 million to the Seychelles GDP between 2026 and 2033, and US$1.247 billion when considering multiplier effects. The analysis also identifies environmental costs of US$35.2 million and social costs of US$86 million over this period. It defines reducing economic leakage as one way to increase retained benefits. This is becoming a central business issue for African cruise destinations.

Red Sea Disruption Creates Opportunities

A passenger arriving in Africa does not guarantee that most of their spending will remain in Africa. Cruise operators, international suppliers, and other parts of the global tourism chain may capture a significant share before the money reaches local businesses. Connecting passengers with local guides, transport operators, restaurants, accommodation, crafts, cultural attractions, and national parks gives destinations a better chance to retain these expenditures.

The Red Sea disruption opens another opportunity. MSC Cruises changed the MSC Magnifica's itinerary for 2026 to avoid the Red Sea, adding calls to the Seychelles, Mauritius, Reunion, Durban, Cape Town, Walvis Bay, and Cabo Verde. This change incorporates more African ports into long-haul cruise routes as operators reroute to bypass Red Sea security risks. Mombasa is included in another Indian Ocean cruise itinerary following the end of the previous season in April. Kenya anticipates additional calls before the current itinerary concludes.

A significant decrease in the number of penguins has been recorded on Zavodovsky Island in Antarctica. According to data, the number of Chinstrap Penguin nests on the island decreased by 63% between 2011 and 2025. Experts calculated that the total population dropped from approximately 10.9 million to 4.02 million individuals, representing a loss of over 6.8 million penguins.

This information was published in the journal Current Biology. Scientists identified climate change and rising sea temperatures as the main factors affecting food availability.

Zavodovsky Island is part of the South Petermann Islands and was previously considered the world's largest penguin colony, hosting a large number of Chinstrap Penguins. The study was conducted by scientists from the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) using drones, aerial photographs, satellite data, and trackers fitted to the penguins.

The study established a continuous decline in the number of Chinstrap Penguins on the island. Chinstrap Penguins are highly dependent on Antarctic krill, a small marine organism similar to shrimp. However, changes in sea temperature can shift krill habitats, making it difficult for penguins to find food.

Scientists fitted tracking devices onto the penguins to monitor their foraging routes. Data showed that they prefer to feed in the cold waters northwest of the island, where krill is expected. Nevertheless, sea warming is altering the distribution and availability of krill, which researchers believe could negatively affect the health and numbers of the penguins.

According to the study's estimates, there were about 10.9 million breeding Chinstrap Penguins on the island in 2011, while this number decreased to 4.02 million by 2025. These changes were documented by comparing aerial and satellite records from different years.

Scientists also accounted for the volcanic eruption on the island in 2016. However, it was determined that the population decline began before this event, so the eruption is not considered the primary cause of the reduction in numbers. Long-term changes in the sea are likely the main causes.

Following the decline in the Chinstrap Penguin population, Zavodovsky Island lost its status as the largest penguin colony. Cape Adare in the Southern Ocean of Antarctica is now recognized as the largest colony, home to a large number of Adélie Penguins. Macaroni Penguins are also found on this island, whose population, according to the study, has increased. This indicates that the impact of changes in the sea and environment does not affect all penguin species equally.

The growing concern over penguin populations is linked to the fact that a significant portion of the global Chinstrap Penguin population lives on the South Petermann Islands. The rapid decline in this region raises serious alarm. If sea warming continues to affect krill availability, penguins will find it harder to find food and raise offspring.

This research demonstrates that the consequences of climate change are manifesting even in remote areas with minimal human activity. It is crucial for scientists to understand how quickly the decline in penguin populations might continue and what steps can be taken to prevent it.

In South Africa, grandmothers and elders often serve as the backbone of society, raising generations with the support of old-age pensions. However, despite official recognition and annual speeches, a significant number of elderly citizens face economic vulnerability, physical insecurity, and systemic neglect.

Support for the older generation should not be limited to monthly payments; a comprehensive system is needed to ensure proper care, guaranteeing physical safety, accessible healthcare, public spaces, and social integration. As the country's demographic landscape changes, moving from mere acknowledgment to active structural support becomes an urgent requirement for all humanity.

The Reality of Aging in South Africa

In many South African households, the elderly act as primary providers and caregivers. Against the backdrop of high youth unemployment and structural poverty, families heavily rely on the monthly SASSA grant for survival. While this grant is helpful, it must cover numerous needs such as food, electricity, clothing, and medicine.

Obtaining state assistance involves monthly physical and emotional strain due to long queues, administrative delays, and digital barriers. Furthermore, the elderly are exposed to serious safety risks: financial exploitation by informal lenders, scams, and rising gender-based violence against older women deprive many of a safe and peaceful living environment.

Sarah Khuzwayo, a 65-year-old resident of Phumalani Village, shared her experience: 'We depend on this grant just to get by, but everything has become too expensive. When my husband fell ill, I had no choice but to take a loan from a loan shark—paying back 1300 rand for 1000 rand—just to pay for a doctor's visit.' This case illustrates the financial pressure experienced by the elderly in South Africa. The high cost of necessities like food, energy, and healthcare forces many into debt with predatory lenders to cover emergency expenses.

Since monthly social grants support entire families, minor expenses can seriously threaten a family's financial stability. Martha Petersen, a 72-year-old resident of Pelican Park, recounted that her day begins at 4 am waiting at the grant distribution point—and this is not only for her needs but also to provide three grandchildren with food for the month. 'My knees swell terribly before I can rest. But I cannot stop; without me standing, our family will simply go hungry.'

Her daily experience highlights how elderly grandmothers often bear the entire burden of family survival under severe physical strain. Tata Themba Dlamini, a 67-year-old resident of Phumalani Village, explained that young men in the settlement know the grant payment dates and gather near distribution points and on the streets. He noted that elderly women are constantly forced to look over their shoulders when walking home from the shop, emphasizing that safety on their streets is as important to them as financial support.

Agnes Mills, 65, from Pelican Park, expressed her view: 'When people see an elderly person, they often consider us a burden or beggars. They ignore the fact that we built these homes, raised these families, and paid taxes for many decades. We are not asking for pity or annual speeches on International Day of Older Persons—we want respect, accessible seating in public places, and a seat at the table when community decisions are made.'

To create an inclusive and age-friendly South Africa, several steps must be taken: ensuring decent service points (SASSA needs priority lanes, shelters, and equipped toilets); financial protection (strict control over predatory micro-lending and illegal grant withholding); delivery of chronic medication (expanding pick-up and home delivery points); improving healthcare (specialists in elder care, dementia, and mobility); and strengthening the Older Persons Act through localized care and the creation of safe housing.

The character of a nation is defined by how it treats those who built it. Beyond pension grants, true elder care requires safe streets, effective healthcare, accessible transport, and active participation in community life. By replacing neglect with practical support, South Africa can ensure that old age is celebrated, not endured.