Kenya expects tourist arrivals by sea to go up this year after the completion of a new cruise terminal later this year.

The cruise season runs from November to March every year. Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) began the construction of a cruise ship terminal in December last year at a cost of Sh350 million, adding that it is expected to be completed by September.

Luxury cruise ship MS Silver Cloud, which departed for Seychelles after one day at the port of Mombasa, marked the end of the current cruise tourism season.

The vessel, which is operated by Silversea Cruises, arrived on Monday from Zanzibar with 255 passengers and 224 crew. Last season, the port received 10 cruise ships, which brought in more than 6,000 tourists.

From November last year when the cruise tourism season began to end of the season this month, only two ships MS Nautica which is operated by Oceania Cruises and Silver Cloud made two trips each.

The two ships which made four trips this season brought a total of 2,958 visitors down from 10 ships which brought 6,000 tourists last season.

Majority of the tourists who arrived on Monday were from the United States of America while others were from Germany, Canada and England.

Some of the visitors flew over to Maasai Mara National Reserve for game drives, others travelled to Shimba Hills Game Reserve in Kwale for safari while the rest remained in Mombasa for excursions.

Normally, the tourists arriving by sea spend the day and leave in the evening, but this time around, the 479 visitors were here for an overnight stay and are expected to depart for Seychelles today.

Recently, Tourism secretary Najib Balala, said: “The availability of a cruise terminal at the port of Mombasa will be a game changer to tourism industry as it will help attract more international tourists to the country.”

Mr Balala said the facility would offer services to tourists when they arrive at the port or when departing for other destinations.

“Over the years, there has been no terminal at the port to cater for tourists who arrive by sea. But I am glad that by the next season we shall have a modern cruise ship facility,” he added.

Tourists who arrive in the country by sea, he added, had boosted the tourism industry and the economy, since they visit national parks and excursions in Mombasa town.

Last December, Mr Balala directed Kenya Tourism Board chief executive officer Betty Radier to give Cruise tourism marketing a priority.

KPA managing director Catherine Mturi-Wairi recently said the launch of the construction of the cruise terminal came at a time when the port is experiencing a rise in ship arrivals .

The KPA boss said a survey which was carried out in 2015 by Tourism and Transport Consult International on cruise tourist potential for Kenya showed that Mombasa could easily attract 140,000 passengers per year.

She said the cruise terminal would offer a range of facilities including a lounge area for passengers, reception counters for cruise operators, restaurants and souvenir shops.
Source: Business Daily