The tourism sector in Kenya received a significant boost as a cruise ship carrying 2,500 tourists docked at the port of Mombasa on the morning of February 3, 2024.
In a statement, Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua welcomed the visitors, highlighting that the vessel, named MSC Poesia, is on a world tour. Kenya Ports Authority also stated that MSC Poesia is one of the largest cruise vessels ever to dock at the Port of Mombasa.
“To add value and support Cruise Tourism, KPA has invested in the requisite infrastructure, including the state-of-the-art cruise terminal to cement Kenya’s status as a hub not only in cargo operations but also cruise tourism in Africa,” mentioned KPA in a statement.
CS Mutua further revealed that the cruise ship had 1000 crew members, featuring 16 Kenyans who applied for the jobs online. Dr Mutua emphasized the growing opportunities in cruise ship tourism, noting that Kenyans stand a significant chance of securing such job opportunities.
“You do not need to know anyone to get a job. All you need is to be competitive and pass the various interviews by the company,” said the CS. According to Mutua, the cruise company MSC Cruisers has employed 2,500 Kenyans who work on various ships worldwide.
The arrival of MSC Poesia marks the fourth such vessel to dock in Kenya since November last year. Kenya has recorded 8500 tourist arrivals since the commencement of the cruise season in the last three months.
MSC Poesia’s arrival in Mombasa comes barely a month after another luxury liner, Norwegian Dawn, berthed at the Kenyan coast on January 14, 2024, carrying 2,300 passengers and 1,100 crew aboard.
KPA Managing Director Captain William Ruto piloted the Norwegian vessel to berth number one, reaffirming the Authority’s support for cruise tourism through investments in infrastructure to position the Port of Mombasa as a cruise tourism hub.
“This is just the beginning; we expect more vessels to call at the port. As KPA management and board, we have put up infrastructure to support cruise tourism. I want to assure all cruise lines that Port Mombasa is safe,” stated Captain William Ruto.
CS Mutua emphasized that cruise ship tourism plays a pivotal role in boosting the economy of coastal nations. “With its stunning coastline along the Indian Ocean, Kenya has recognized the potential of cruise ship tourism as a catalyst for economic growth,” he said.
The port of Mombasa has the capacity to attract 140,000 passengers per year. In 2019, the global cruise industry welcomed nearly 30 million passengers, creating jobs for 1.8 million people.
On January 24, 2024, Kenya received a major boost as it was elected to chair the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) committee on Tourism and Competitiveness. CS Mutua highlighted that this win was a testament to Kenya’s leadership capabilities and positions the country in decision-making roles concerning global tourism matters.
“This vote demonstrates the confidence that UNWTO member states have in Kenya’s leadership and ability to steer the organization’s agenda on tourism competitiveness,” noted CS Mutua.
