The Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) says it will play host to 10 passenger cruise liners this tourism season.
This comes after the company reported an 87% increase in passenger vessel calls for the 2022-2023 financial year compared to last year, a development said to signal the tourism industry’s recovery.
The significant rise, according to Namport, is attributed to the maritime industry’s positive strides towards recovery from the pandemic which had a negative impact on holidaymakers’ travelling due to worldwide restrictions from 2019 to 2022.
According to Namport’s Executive for Commercial Services Elias Mwenyo, the entity has already welcomed the first vessel for the season with the next passenger vessel calling the Port on 28 November 2023 and more passenger vessels expected by the end of December 2023.
“Traditionally, the passenger liner season commences in November and continues through to March of the following year,” Mwenyo said.
Mwenyo further explained that the industry brings a surplus of benefits to Namibia including an influx of international tourists injecting foreign currency into the local economy and job opportunities for locals in sectors such as tourism, transportation services, and the arts and crafts industry.
