SANMA SG sees economic boost from Santo’s first 2025 cruise ship
January 20, 2025 10:14 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook
By Terence Malapa
The newly appointed Secretary General (SG) of SANMA Provincial Government Council (SPGC), Johnathan Iavere, said SANMA Province was fortunate to witness the first 2025 cruise ship that visited the island on 15 January last week.
SG Iavere said that over 300 mothers are contributing to the local economy by selling goods and products and offering services such as hair braiding, shoulder and foot massages along key routes like the main gate of the terminal to town centres and Unity Park.
He added that this dynamic interaction between tourism and local entrepreneurship creates a lively and diverse atmosphere, providing both visitors and locals with a variety of services while also supporting the livelihoods of these vendors.
SG Iavere further stated that for SANMA, more cruise arrivals could be an effective strategy to boost local economic growth.
“The spending by tourists on items, services, transportation, and even entertainment could directly benefit not just the vendors but also other sectors such as hospitality, transport, retail, and even infrastructure development,” he said.
He noted that by positioning Santo as an investment destination, the goal is to build sustainable development, create jobs, and improve infrastructure while harnessing the potential of both tourism and other sectors.
Iavere said it is time for Santo to establish a resilient economic corridor for SANMA Province to promote long-term development. Once the corridor is established, they will then focus on its economic implications.
