• The CS said Kenya boasts a diverse tableau of experiences—wildlife safaris, water sports, cultural richness, and tranquil beaches.
• In the recent cruise tourism circuit season that ended in April this year, the Port of Mombasa received four vessel calls carrying over 4,000 passengers.
Image: JOHN CHESOLI
Image: JOHN CHESOLI
Kenya is working on refining the cruise tourism experience for international visitors, Tourism CS Peninah Malonza has said.
On Wednesday in Mombasa, Malonza said the future plans include diversifying the excursions available to cruise passengers.
Speaking during the official opening of the MV Logo Hope (the floating library) to the public at Mbaraki Wharf in Mombasa, Malonza said diversification is part of a larger infrastructure push that includes upgraded airports and road connectivity.
“The increasing arrival of cruise ships like MV Logos Hope showcases Kenya's magnetic appeal. Our land boasts a diverse tableau of experiences—wildlife safaris, water sports, cultural richness, and tranquil beaches,” Malonza said.
She said these unique offerings have already led to return visits, like last year's encore from the MV World Odyssey, signalling Kenya’s rising status as a prime tourist hub.
In the recent cruise tourism circuit season that ended in April this year, the Port of Mombasa received four vessel calls carrying more than 4,000 passengers.
The next cruise tourism circuit starts in September.
Malonza, who was accompanied by Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir and other senior Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) officials, said the global impact of the cruise industry is awe-inspiring.
The Tourism CS said before the Covid-19 pandemic, cruise ship business generated over $154 billion and catered to nearly 30 million passengers worldwide.
She said Kenya is now ready to meet the new demand for cruise tourism, with the construction of the multimillion-shilling cruise terminal at the Port of Mombasa.
“The inauguration of Mombasa's cruise terminal is our bold step into this lucrative market,” she said.
The Ministry of Tourism is actively collaborating with various stakeholders, including the Ministry of Transport, to maximise the benefits of Kenya’s coastal assets in supporting cruise tourism.
“The blue economy, as a crucial aspect of our tourism fabric, is set to witness invigorating changes, strengthening our commitment to sustainable tourism,” Malonza said.
MV Logos Hope, the world’s largest floating book fair that has been dubbed, ‘the floating library’, docked in Mombasa on Tuesday and is expected to stay in the region for 45 days.
The ship will open its doors to the public to select books of their choice from the wide array of more than 5,000 different titles of book genres including science, sports, hobbies, language, faith, cookery arts and medicine.
For the one-and-half month, Kenyans will be treated to the fun of touring the expansive vessel and exploring other amenities like the ship’s Visitors’ Experience Deck, Welcome Area and International Café.
MV Logos Hope is a sister vessel to MV Doulos, which docked in Mombasa in 2005 and thousands of Kenyans were welcomed on board.
Visitors to MV Logos Hope will pay an entrance fee of Sh50.
Malonza said MV Logos Hope is not just a cruise ship, “It is a floating repository of knowledge, help, and hope. The book fair on this vessel is a living testament to the universal language of literature.”
The vessel arrived with 375 passengers and crew from over 70 countries.
Kenya Ports Authority managing director Captain William Ruto hailed the arrival of the vessel terming it as significant for Kenya.
He noted that the ship’s visit implied that Kenya is making progress towards reclaiming its position as a cruise hub in the Indian Ocean cruise circuit.
“As a port authority, we have made significant strides to improve cruise reception facilities, notably completion of a modern cruise terminal, a dredged channel, improved security and safety standards in compliance with the International Ship and Port Security (ISPS) code,” Ruto said.
He said they have worked closely with cruise tourism stakeholders in the region under the leadership of the Cruise Africa Association and Port Management of Eastern and South Africa (PMESA) to market the Indian Ocean realm as a cruise destination of choice.
The region includes all ports and countries around the Indian Ocean to package an all-round very exciting itinerary that includes ports, game parks and historical attractions.
He added they have also engaged other global partners such as the Japanese Islands Association, and cruise ship owners such as Crystal Lines, Princess Lines and American Lines, among others.
"We remain steadfast in improving our ports facilities to remain competitive not only in handling services but also in the promotion of our country as the cruise tourism destination because this is the fastest growing maritime sector in the world," he said.
Edward David Whonis, the director of MV Logos Hope, said their vision is to make a difference in the world and that the project is to advance the well-being of people everywhere they go.
He said this is achieved in several ways which includes sharing knowledge.
"Logos means the word of God. It is our pleasure and privilege to serve the people of Mombasa and we hope to meet a lot of people on board," he said.