Durban cruise season projected to add over R1 billion to local economy

Inside Metros Reporter

The eThekwini Municipality said on Monday that the 2025/26 cruise season is expected to contribute nearly R1.88 billion to Durban’s economy through direct, indirect, and induced impacts.

This would be driven by spending from an estimated 255,000 visitors arriving between November 2025 and June 2026.

Cruise visitors will contribute directly around R762 million to the local economy, but the multiplier effect is expected to increase the amount to about R1.12 billion.

“Overall, the combined direct, indirect, and induced contributions to Durban’s GDP are estimated at nearly R1.88 billion,” said the city.

The projections are largely based on passenger and crew spending while ashore, which is expected to sustain roughly 3 401 jobs and yield more than R140.5 million in tax revenue for the metro.

The season will start in late November and end in June 2026. It will open with the arrival of flagship vessels MSC Opera