Namport has clinched a deal that will see six passenger cruise liners spend more days at Walvis Bay in October to boost tourism.

Normally, these cruise liners dock at the harbour for less than a day, spending less money on the local economy.

The Erongo Tourism Forum is making deliberate efforts to boost passenger cruise liner tourism.

In the past, Namport targeted 25 passenger cruise liners to dock at the harbour annually.

This number has, however, increased since the devastating impact of COVID-19 on the industry.

Thus far, 25 vessels, including Queen Mary 2 and Viking Neptune, have already docked at the port, and 45 others are still to come.

At a stakeholders meeting, the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism revealed that players in the private and public sectors are collaborating to ensure that Walvis Bay receives 200 cruise liner vessels per year.

Namport representatives say they have been engaging owners of passenger liner vessels to enhance the hospitality industry provided to tourists as they arrive at the harbour.