INDABA 2009 LAUNCHES THE CRUISE INDIAN OCEAN ASSOCIATION

TOURISM INDABA 2009 was the launching pad for the African continent's first Cruise Indian Ocean Association (CIOA) at the Hilton Hotel,Durban on Sunday.
The CIOA is composed of the port authorities in the South African Development Community sub-region and their respective national tourism organisations.

The association aims to position, jointly promote and market the Eastern and Southern Africa region and the South West Indian Ocean Islands as an attractive destination for cruise liner iteneraries by creating an enabling environment for the sustainable development of the sub-Sahara as a viable destination for cruise liner iteneraries.

In line with international standards, CIOA maintains a close working relationship with the Port Management Association of Eastern and Southern Africa (PMAESA) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), and CIOA maintains a research and knowledge management system to foster co-operation among the region's port networks, government and cruise operators.

Keynote speaker, James M Mulewa, Chairman of CIOA and the Managing Director of the Kenya Ports Authority, extended gratitude to the mamoth task undertaken by both the Tourism KZN and Transnet National Ports Authority for working tirellessly towards the launch as tentative steps were concieved during the Kenya Chapter held in Mombasa in 2004.

" During the Kenya Chapter in 2004 we had formed a standing committe on cruise tourism with the specific objective of projecting a united image in promoting the sub-region as a viable cruise destination area similar to the ones that exist in the Caribbean, Mediterranean and Europe, and the recently-established Hong Kong and Singapore cruise operations in Asia.
CIOA's principal objective is to promote the entire region in a concerted effort to achieve harmonization of procedures and formalities relating to the reception of cruise ships and passengers in our region" said Mulewa

We bank on our multi-faceted cultural richness, aded Mulewa, and the varied heritages including geographical and historical landmarks coupled with our friendly weather, wildlife and the diversity of our people.

eThekwini Municipality Deputy Mayor Logie Naidoo, who is also the UniCity's Chairperson of Economic Development Desk described tha CIOA unveiling as the 'first for Durban, South bAfrica and Africa' which gives an ideal leverage to fellow African compatriots to share in the 2010 World Cup Soccer Finals fiesta to be held in South Africa.

"Durban is fully supportive to Indaba 2009 being the birthplace of the CIOA because it is better located on the edge of the Indian Ocean Rim and is a major seaport economic hub which is the gateway into the Southern Africa region.
Collectively, the UniCity, country and the continent stands to benefit tremondously from the footprints of the cruise lines international association that was focused on the promotion and growth of the cruise industry" remarked Naidoo.

And Trasnet NPA Senior Manager Ricky Bhikraj said they were planning for a first-generation Durban port that takes cognisant to the growth of the city itself and the proposal of a worldclass cruise liner spatial development.

"Planing for 2010 and beyond, we have a co-ordinating committee that comprises the 2010 Local Organising Committee, eThekwini Municipality's Durban as Host City, Home Affairs and South African Police Services (SAPS) to formulate a business case, marketing research, participation of key stakeholders as we drive the agenda forwad" explained Bhikraj
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