Saldanha has big plans to become a vibrant tourism destination

Saldanha Bay is known as a coastal gem, but there are big plans to position it as a key tourist destination along the West Coast.

Earlier this week, the Port of Saldanha marked a significant milestone with the arrival of a luxury cruise liner called the 'Silver Cloud' with 227 passengers onboard.

Saldanha Bay Mayor Andre Truter, says this will have a positive impact on economic development, heralding a new era for the community.

There are high hopes that the burgeoning tourism industry will contribute significantly to the region's economic development. 

"The Saldanha Bay port opens up a range of tourism activities for vessel passengers. The region gives them access to activities and excursions from wild life to the Ceres mountains. It gives them diversity, only an hour-and-a-half outside Cape Town."
-David Khun, Saldanha Port Engineer

"Where the cruise-liners disembark is a small fishing industry. This gives people a small town feel, but there are many restaurants and other activities. You're also within a 10 - 15 minute driver from Langebaan, Paternoster and Vredenburg, whicb you can explore without going into the tourist trap of other areas."
-David Khun, Saldanha Port Engineer

Khun says there are several development plans in the pipeline by the Saldanha Bay municipality to create a tourism mecca in the region.

This includes the billion rand refurbishment of the Saldanha Bay harbour, which was spearheaded in 2021.

"We've got interest in green hydrogen and renewable energies, which is a growing industry. Last year, we received approval to proceed with two new deep water berths in the port. This will see a lot more ship repairs, manufacturing and recycling. It will also rigs to come into the port to be maintained and deeper industrial vessels. 
-David Khun, Saldanha Port Engineer

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