Queen Mary 2 docks in Durban
The ocean liner’s arrival was welcomed by the eThekwini Municipality mayor, Mxolisi Kaunda.
THE biggest ocean liner in the world, the Queen Mary 2, was welcomed at Durban Port this morning after much anticipation.
Initially, it was announced that the ocean liner would dock at Nelson Mandela Cruise Terminal, however, the eThekwini Municipality announced on Sunday, April 2, that the Queen Mary 2 would dock at N Shed at the Old Harbour.
eThekwini Municipality Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda was present to welcome the ship’s captain and over 2 000 guests.
Speaking at the event, Kaunda said, “This ship brings over 2 000 visitors to our shores, who will be exploring various tourism [offerings], not only here in the city, but across KwaZulu-Natal.”
The ocean liner’s guests were transferred to shuttle buses to visit tourist attractions in eThekwini and KwaZulu-Natal. Organised tours will include city tours as well as visits to the Valley of 1000 Hills, Hluhluwe, and St Lucia.
Kaunda added that the City is working to expand the tourism offering at the port and beyond.
“The arrival of Queen Mary 2 comes at a time when we are busy with the expansion project of this port where we are located today. This development is expected to be a major drawcard for cruise liners and will include five-star hotels, retail malls, apartments, and an African cultural centre that will embrace our culture and heritage. We are also pleased that the National Department of Tourism has embarked on a cruise-tourism maximisation strategy. This will focus on the impact that cruise tourism has on the cruise port destinations in the country,” he added.
Also read: Plans afoot to demolish Ocean Terminal Building
“It is so nice to be back in Durban after an absence of some three years. Of course, the Cunard line, founded by Sir Samuel Cunard in 1840, is a long-established, famous company. Throughout history, we have had a long and successful association with South Africa, with Durban in particular,” he said.
Hall also thanked Mayor Kaunda for acknowledging the importance of the cruise industry in the tourism sector.
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