Cape Town - The V&A Waterfront on Thursday marked the launch of 2016/17 cruise season by announcing that another R37 million would be invested in the terminal that receives passengers.
As the first passengers disembarked from the German luxury liner, the Europa, the first arrival of the season, David Green, chief executive officer of the V&A Waterfront, announced the next stage of investment in the arrivals terminal.
“From international experience we know that the cruise line industry offers enormous potential for tourism growth, so our intention is to ensure that we extend the V&A Waterfront experience to the terminal,” he said.
The R37 million investment will see the development of the two floors above the terminal portion of the building, including retail and events space, as well as a “signature seafood restaurant”.
Green was tight-lipped about the name of the restaurant although he said “many of you will know it”.
The investment is part of a plan to extend the use of the buildings beyond the cruise season, which lasts for up to five months of the year.
The terminal received 44 vessels during the last season. A total of 86 400 passengers were processed, including 48 745 crew members. The number of arrivals this season is expected to equal last season’s, including visits from the iconic liners the Queen Mary 2 and the Queen Elizabeth.
AFRICAN NEWS AGENCY