800 Tourists aboard a Cruise Vessel Docks at Mombasa Port
Tourists at the Port of Mombasa after docking in aboard a cruiseship. (Photo By Harrison Kivisu)
By Harrison Kivisu
Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com
Kenya’s tourism sector got an economic boost after a cruise ship with 845 foreign tourists and 469 crew members docked at the Port of Mombasa.
Mv -Viking -Sky- a luxury cruise vessel operated by Viking Ocean Cruises, arrived at the port today, Wednesday March 19, 2025 at 08:00 am for three days and two nights stay allowing its human cargo to explore Mombasa and its environs.
Tourism cabinet secretary Rebbeca Miani says the visit cements Mombasa’s growing appeal as a premier cruise destination and a testament to the resurgence of cruise tourism in the region.
While witnessing the arrival of the tourist’s, she said the tourism economy was on the upward trend that was attributed to the growth of cruise tourism.
The CS added that Kenya prospects to hit over three million international arrivals this year was on course with cruise tourism being the biggest contributor to the foreign exchange earnings.
“As a government we are very determined to support the industry, we are looking forward to 2025 to welcome more than three million international visitors and in the next two years having five million tourists annually which is a critical foreign exchange earner.”
According to her Mombasa is becoming a global hub for cruise ship tourism following government investment at the port to attract cruise ships.
“In terms of security we have a lot of improvement and we want to assure our visitors that they are free to walk freely because we have enough measures put in place to ensure security of our guests.”
She reiterated that the government would continue to put in place good policies and regulations that stimulate the multi-million tourism economy.
The vessel with a length overall of 228.2 meters arrived early morning from Mahe Seychelles.
Viking Sky is the sixth cruiser of the season to call Mombasa beginning from September 2024.
MV-Viking will spend the next three days at the port where the visitors will explore tourist attraction sites within the region.
Nineteen of the crew members are Kenyans who are working on the ship.
Following this arrival, the Kenya’s tourism sector players have expressed satisfaction with emerging opportunities created by the cruise arrivals at the Port of Mombasa.
The players say with the growing number of international tourists’ arrivals, those operating tours and travel businesses are enjoying brisk business.
According to Lambodara Hotta, the group director and finance of Pollman’s Group, said the tour company had been forced to increase investments as they reposition themselves to benefit from the venture.
The players have welcomed the government investment to spur the tourism sector saying it has significantly boosted the economy.
Veteran industry player and manager operations at Pollmans tours and safaris company Mohamed Hersi says cruise arrivals have stimulated the region’s economy as tourists will spend days enjoying what the destination has to offer.
The tour operators who undertake tours and travel services say they are forced to hire more drivers to supplement increased numbers of tourists seeking tours and travel services.
Other players among them curio sellers operating at the Port of Mombasa want the government to improve security as a measure to instill confidence to tourists visiting different destinations.
Speaking at the port with their merchandise on display for sampling, the Port Curio Sellers’ Association chair curio John Ouma Obonyo says they are now enjoying sales after the arrival of cruise tourists.
Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) general manager operations Sudi Mwasinago said so far cruise ships have recorded 4,000 international guests since the start of the cruise ship circuit which started in September 2024.
“We are used to seeing for vessels staying for only a day, but this one will stay for three days. This is good for the coastal economy because it will increase jobs and create opportunities.”
According to him this is the fourth cruise vessel which brings the number of cruise tourists to already 4,000 passengers since January compared to last year where we had seven vessels with 7,000 tourists the whole season.
