Whilst passengers aboard the MS Europa cruise liner may not have been able to experience the splendour of Cape Town and the Western Cape due to Omicron travel bans and restrictions, the Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities for the Western Cape, David Maynier, Mayoral Member for Economic Growth in the City of Cape Town, Alderman James Vos, Wesgro CEO, Wrenelle Stander and Groot Constantia CEO, Jean Naudé, ensured they received a ‘taste of the Cape’ through personally delivering bottles of world-class wine to those still aboard the vessel waiting to return home.
“Whilst we were really looking forward to hosting the MS Europa passengers in our breath-taking destination, we trust that they will be back when restrictions lift. A big thank you to Groot Constantia, one of our many award-winning wine farms. Through giving passengers aboard a taste of magnificence, we have no doubt they’ll be looking to return soonest to experience our exceptional wine and cuisine, not to mention the depth and breadth of tourism experiences on offer in the Mother City and surrounding regions,” commented Maynier.
Alderman James Vos added, “Through the City’s Tourism Development Framework, we have honed our focus on boosting the Mother City’s destination profile in this market, which figures show has a projected value of R220 billion over the next five years. I expect big things from this market both now and in the future, with huge potential for economic benefits, in terms of passenger and crew spend, and for ship maintenance and supply. We are hopeful that recent travel bans will be lifted soon”.
Passengers who have booked flights will continue to disembark to travel to Cape Town International Airport for the duration of the ships stay in the port.
Wesgro CEO and official Spokesperson for Cruise Cape Town, Wrenelle Stander, added: “The vessel is implementing their protocols under very difficult circumstances and taking instruction from the cruise line operator, Hapag-Lloyd. As a result of the Omicron variant and travel protocols, flights are changing constantly, however our local cruise services industry (including ground handlers) are supplying the best possible support locally while trying to make transit from the port to the airport as safe and seamless as possible.”