The stunning cruise ship MSC Sinfonia was the venue for the recent launch of a Cruise Tourism Report by Minister of Tourism, Mr Marthinus van Schalkwyk. “The development of cruise tourism as a niche market further enhances South Africa’s reputation as a world class and globally competitive tourism destination,” said Van Schalkwyk. “The global cruise tourism industry has experienced significant growth over the last three decades, expanding from 1.4 million passenger carryings in 1980 to an estimated 15.4 million by 2009.”
Pictured: Stefano Vigoriti, MD of MSC Cruises SA, Michael Mabuyakhulu, MEC for Economic Development and Tourism in KZN, Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk, Ambassador Kingsley Makhubela, Director General of the National Department of Tourism and Mansoor Mohamed, Chairman of the National Cruise Liner Steering Committee.
In reply to a question, Van Schalkwyk discussed the importance of obtaining Blue Flag status for Durban and surrounding area beaches, including Umhlanga. “The Blue Flag is an international standard, recognised by foreign tourists to be what is considered the minimum standard for a beach, its facilities, environment, upkeep, safety and security. Some municipalities do their own testing of water but we believe that Blue Flag standards are higher. It is national policy to obtain Blue Flag status and those municipalities need to comply with national policy.”
Official recognition
Durban’s controversial spat with the Blue Flag organisation has seen the city languishing without official recognition, although the municipality claims our beaches are regularly tested and are world class in terms of quality of water.
Peter Rose of Umhlanga Tourism commented: “The City (of Durban) believes that the Blue Flag standard is not adequate for the conditions which pertain to Umhlanga, given that this is a sub-tropical, developing country with socio-economic problems affecting the rivers, and Blue Flag standards don’t address this.
“People think Blue Flag status only concerns water quality but it also applies to factors surrounding the beach, for example safety, showers, and beach cleanliness among others. By and large I believe the beaches meet the criteria. There is the perception that no testing is done by the city but it is done on a regular basis according to the city’s criteria. They have a reputable laboratory and specialise in that kind of testing.
“Even though the Blue Flag was pulled down a few years ago we have maintained as closely as possible those standards laid down by that body. I’m sure we would get Blue Flag pilot status immediately in Umhlanga. The issue of Blue Flag gives a basis on which to market the city internationally. If we comply, everyone in the world knows about it. But I’d have no problem of going down to the beaches right now and having a swim. With or without Blue Flag, Durban will always be the best place to live, work and swim for me.”
Further comment from Geoff Pullan, DA Councillor for North Umhlanga, Umdloti and La Mercy: “Lifeguards, safety, ablution facilities, cleanliness and sea water quality are some of the criteria for Blue Flag beaches. Some of Durban’s beaches can satisfy most of the Blue Flag criteria. There is no huge cost necessary. In fact Umgababa was one of the beaches that the DA suggested could apply for Blue Flag for 2011. Umhlanga and Umdloti would likely also qualify.
“Interestingly, Durban was the first municipality, in South Africa, to join the Blue Flag accreditation system. At the time, Mayor Obed Mlaba and (eThekwini Municipal Manager ) Dr Sutcliffe were photographed proudly holding the Blue Flag at South Beach. Thirteen municipalities in South Africa belong to Blue Flag, and both the national and provincial governments recognize the tourist benefits of belonging to the programme.”
A Blue Flag (according to the website www.blueflag.org.za) is an international award given to beaches that meet excellence in the areas of safety, amenities, cleanliness and environmental standards. South Africa was the first country outside Europe to win Blue Flag accreditation for its beaches. KwaZulu-Natal has a number of Blue Flag beaches, but there are none in the greater Durban area.
Important driver
Discussing the importance of tourism and the cruise industry, Van Schalkwyk continued. “We know tourism is an important driver of both domestic consumer spending and foreign exchange earnings. It is underpinned by a sustainable resource base, labour intensive activities and relatively low barriers of entry for entrepreneurs. Tourism has now been prioritised as one of the cornerstones of growth in the economy,” he added.
Stefano Vigoriti, Managing Director of MSC Cruises South Africa, said that the magnificent nine-storey MSC Sinfonia, with capacity for 2 100 passengers, is almost double the size of previous ships the company operated in South Africa. “We are so confident of continued growth in the industry that we have not only brought her back for a second season but will operate a second ship, MSC Melody, simultaneously during this 2010/2011 season,” he said following the launch.
The two ships are expected to set a new cruising record in South Africa with a bumper 69 scheduled departures out of local ports carrying more than 100 000 passengers. MSC Sinfonia will cruise from Durban to Mozambique and the Indian Ocean Islands for a six month period through to May 2011, while the more intimate 1 500 capacity MSC Melody will offer new Atlantic and Indian Ocean destinations from 18 December through to March 2011 out of Durban and Cape Town. Vigoriti said that MSC Sinfonia offered South Africans their first opportunity to experience a “new build” world class product which only a select few who travel abroad have had the chance to do.
“A distinctive feature of the ‘new build’ ships is the deck area which is designed like a water theme park. This, together with the high standard of facilities and sophistication allows MSC Sinfonia to lay claim to being the finest floating hotel ever to operate out of Southern Africa. It ushers Southern Africa into a new era of world class cruising and reveals an eagerness to embrace top of the range cruising standards in the region,” he concluded.