Kenya’s cruise tourism sector is gaining momentum as the country steps up efforts to attract five million international visitors by 2027, with the Port of Mombasa recording a surge in cruise ship arrivals as the season picks up.
Today, more than 600 tourists and 400 crew members arrived at the Port of Mombasa aboard the luxury cruise liner Crystal Symphony. Despite light early-morning rains, the excited visitors disembarked from the 238-metre-long vessel, eager to explore the country’s diverse attractions.
The 31-year-old Bahamas-flagged ship sailed for seven days from South Africa and is scheduled to remain in the country for 48 hours before continuing its voyage to India.
Speaking at the port, Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) Chief Executive Officer June Chepkemei said the year had begun on a high note, with notable growth being recorded in cruise tourism.
“This particular ship has brought over 600 travelers and crew members. About 200 of them are disembarking. That goes to show that their presence here is indeed impacting the Kenya Coast in a significant way. Some have already proceeded on excursions in different parts of the Kenya Coast,” stated Chepkemei.
She added, “And for us, it goes to show that the sector is indeed growing. Last year, we saw a growth of 140 per cent in cruise tourism. The beginning of the year has proved that we are going to grow beyond that.”
The CEO further explained that the number of tourists is on a high trajectory owing to various government interventions like Electronic Travel Authorization and the open sky policy.
“We are hitting our targets, and we are happy to continue growing the sector. We call upon all our tourists to Tembea Kenya, Tembea Magical Kenya,” she said, noting that six more cruises are expected in the country by February.
The vessel’s Cruise Director Vicki Van Tassel said the voyage to Mombasa was wonderful, offering stunning ocean views as it sailed along the East African coast, promising that the vessel will come back to the country. She thanked KPA and KTB for the warm welcome into the country.
“It was a beautiful sailing today, and a little overcast sky makes for the best pictures. So we are excited to be in the country. We have wonderful tours planned for our guests to travel in and do many things here in Mombasa. We couldn’t be more honored to be here and be celebrated by your country,” she said.
KPA Corporation Secretary John Turasha Kinyanjui reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to support cruise tourism and business ventures for the economic growth of the country.
“As KPA, we are very glad, and we hope that our guests are going to enjoy Mombasa, Kenya. We hope that you are going to have a great time and therefore, come many times. We will always support you,” said Kinyanjui.
Mombasa County Executive Committee Member for Trade and Tourism, Mohamed Osman, cited the open sky policy as the main factor that has bolstered cruise tourism, noting that tourists who have completed their circuit can board direct flights to other destinations.
“If you are saying we want to target five million international tourists by 2027 that means we must have more flights. More flights mean another direct flight, and that, as you have seen, makes it easier for tourists who come here. They can come through the cruise and then leave directly from the airport,” said Osman, assuring tourists of security.
Mark Morgan, a tourist from the United States of America, said that throughout the voyage and the stops, he has experienced different cultures and met different people. In his first visit to Kenya, he expects to learn about the country’s culture.
“I’m hoping that we see, again, more of how people live and how they are different to the other parts of Africa. And, of course, it’s got a reputation as being Kenya, and Kenya is the place where everybody comes to see the animals and everything else, and it’s developing rapidly,” stated Morgan.
On her part, Christine Knowles from Australia said she finds Kenya “inspiring, exciting, colourful, and exotic and I just love the people. You’re all very friendly.”
By Sadik Hassan
