With future cruise liners possibly visiting the shores of the West Coast, there are many benefits it could bring economically.
Many residents on the West Coast were over the moon when the Silver Cloud cruise liner made its way to the West Coast and anchored in Saldanha on Tuesday 26 March.
Vallerie Murphy, a businesswoman from Langebaan, said cruise liners will definitely improve the economy of the West Coast and Langebaan. “Our diverse offerings make it very attractive to the cruise guests if packaged correctly and seamlessly with all parties coming together,” she said.
Murphy said the West Coast has much to offer a tourist and should be packaged well. “The local talent is in abundance and tourists want to see, taste and feel the local experiences so they are definitely welcome to our part of SA.”
Daleen Fouché, Communications Practitioner at the South African National Space Agency, can attest to this as she was invited as a guest speaker on the Silver Cloud and took part in the activities on shore. The West Coast can be very proud, she told Weslander. Taking part in activities at the Cape Columbine Nature Reserve, such as horse riding, mountain biking and canoeing, “it was a special experience”.
“There were local artists performing and a lovely local feast was provided. I think the economic impact is really big on the tourism industry,” said Fouché.
Charl van Rensburg, owner of Oppikaai restaurant in St Helena Bay, said the town has beautiful beaches, kayaking, horse riding and unique restaurants. Treating passengers of these visiting cruise liners to authentic local cuisine, he added, would be a good footprint. “We make our own recipes according to our culture and provide storytelling with the history of St Helena Bay.” Van Rensburg said this gave visitors the opportunity to learn more about the town and its uniqueness, which is great for tourism.
Jan Malan, owner of Die Koelkamers in Paternoster, shared the same sentiments and said international tourists do wonders for the local economy. “I think the beauty of the town is a great attraction,” he said, “and, of course, the restaurants and Die Koelkamers, which provides top-class performances.”
According to Malan, cruise liners bringing in passengers would place Paternoster on the map and could possibly become one of the best tourists attractions in the world.
André Truter, Mayor of Saldanha Bay, said through the visit of the Silver Cloud to Saldanha he was in discussion with the captain of the boat and shared more about the cultural richness of the West Coast in terms of the variety it offers and the history.
“I told him we would like to see an entire West Coast tour along Yzerfontein, Saldanha, Elands Bay, Velddrif, all along the West Coast. I also spoke of possibly buying products here, such as meat and world-famous oysters and black mussels, which in return will offer job opportunities and open the market to tourists.
Truter believes the West Coast has much to offer and is ready to welcome cruise liners.
