Durban Welcomes 4 500 Tourists Aboard the Queen Mary 2

• The iconic Queen Mary 2 docked at Durban's Nelson Mandela Cruise Terminal, bringing 4 500 international tourists to the city's shores
• Durban Tourism was on the ground to welcome visitors and coordinate their experience across the city's top attractions
• Tour operators helped disperse tourists to popular spots, giving the local tourism economy a much-needed boost
• Briefly News spoke to financial expert Mohammed Arreff on what this event in Durban means for the local economy and how local businesses can benefit

Nerissa Naidoo, a journalist at Briefly News since 2024, previously worked as an editor, content creator, researcher and ghostwriter before joining the team.

KWAZULU-NATAL, DURBAN - The city of Durban welcomed 4 500 international tourists on 10 April 2026 when the iconic Queen Mary 2 docked at the Nelson Mandela Cruise Terminal. This momentous visit marked a grand moment for local tourism.

EThekwini Municipality shared images of the ship's arrival and the buzz of visitors exploring the city on their Facebook page, calling it a grand arrival in Durban.

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Queen Mary 2 docks in Durban

Durban Tourism was present at the terminal for a warm and well-organised welcome for the thousands of visitors stepping off one of the world's most famous ocean liners. Tour operators played a big role in getting tourists out and about, directing them to some of Durban's most popular attractions.

The Queen Mary 2 is no ordinary ship. The ocean liner stretches over 340 meters in length and accommodates up to 2,691 guests and 1,173 crew members. It is commonly known as the world's last true ocean liner. It was built specifically to cross the Atlantic in comfort and style. On board, guests can enjoy a spa, a grand library, multiple restaurants and bars and even a kennel facility for travelling pets.

EThekwini Municipality expressed pride in the city's ability to attract global travellers. They noted in their press release that the visit showed how prominent Durban's vibrant culture, warm hospitality and world-class attractions are.

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Durban's tourism gets a boost

The arrival of the Queen Mary 2 is an important moment for Durban's tourism sector, bringing thousands of international spending visitors into the city in a single day. With tourists spreading across the many local attractions, the visit gave businesses, tour operators and local vendors a welcome boost.

Briefly News writer Nerissa Naidoo spoke to financial expert Mohammed Arreff on what the vessel like the Queen Mary 2 in Durban means for the local economy and how businesses in the area can make the most of moments like this one. He said:

"When a ship of this size docks in a city like Durban, the economic activity that follows is immediate. Passengers spend money on transport, food, shopping, tours and accommodation. That money moves through the local economy very quickly and touches a wide range of businesses, from small traders to large hospitality groups. The key thing for local business owners is to be ready before the ship arrives, not after. Know when these vessels are scheduled to dock, position your product or service where tourists will find it, and make sure your pricing is competitive. This is not the time to be invisible."

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Briefly News also asked entrepreneur Rajesperi Naidoo what local entrepreneurs should be doing to turn events like this into a consistent income opportunity rather than a once-off boost. She said:

"Do not wait for the next big ship to come before you start planning. Build relationships with tour operators and hospitality businesses now so that when these moments happen, you are already part of the ecosystem. Think about what a tourist needs in the first two hours after they step off that ship. If your business can answer that question, you have a market."

When asked what her advice would be for young entrepreneurs in Durban who want to break into the tourism economy, she said:

"Start small, but start now. Remember that you do not need a big business to benefit from tourism. You need a clear offer or product, a visible presence and the ability to deliver a good experience all the time. Social media is free. Use it to show visitors what you do before they even arrive in the city. By the time that ship docks, they should already know you."

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A tourist visiting Kruger National Park found himself in serious trouble after breaking one of the park's most important rules, and his reaction to the fine made things much worse. South Africans had a lot to say about what he did.

Foreigners travelling to South Africa have had some truly memorable experiences worth sharing, and Briefly News rounded up five of the most interesting stories from visitors who fell in love with Mzansi in ways they did not expect.

Source: Briefly News