The province is getting ready for the cruise-liner season that is due to start in October.

The Eastern Cape Tourism Board says it has assumed a co-ordinating role to ensure that cruise ships visiting the province’s two harbours get the welcome they deserve.

Cruise-liner visits to the Eastern Cape are on the rise. Last year 16 cruise-liners docked in East London and about 23 docked in Port Elizabeth.

“Cruise tourism is on our radar but currently does not feature in our operational plan as a programme and therefore does not have budget.

“This, however, does not mean that we are not researching the viability of this tourism sector,” said ECTB acting manager of information services Susan Wilson.

Wilson said a cruise tourism meeting to re-cap on the past season was hosted by ECTB on August 4 where it also presented the results of research conducted into this niche market.

Wilson said the ECTB will discuss with Tourism Buffalo City and the municipality to draw up a budget for quayside entertainment this season.

They also plan to have a tourism information desk, authentic Eastern Cape crafts and registered Tourist Guides and Tourism Product owners dealing directly with the cruise operators to offer various excursions in and around Buffalo City.

In December last year an urgent meeting was held to make arrangements for visiting cruise ships.

Two private guest lodges agreed to fund a welcoming band as no budget was in place.

Mantis Collection managing director, Danie Malan said the direct economic benefits of cruise-liners were limited as they stop over only for brief periods. “But if they stay for three days, then it’s a different story. That’s why we must have structures in place to market day trips to the visitors well in advance,” he said.

September will be national tourism month and world tourism day is celebrated on September 27.