Kenya is witnessing a tourism boost after receiving the fouth cruise ship in three months time.
A cruise ship carrying 2,500 passengers and 1,000 crew member docked at the port of Mombasa on Saturday morning.
The vessel, on a world tour was received by Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Dr Alfred Mutua among other government officials and stakeholders.
Speaking during the event, Mutua said Cruise ship tourism plays a pivotal role in boosting the economy of coastal nations like Kenya.
“With its stunning coastline along the Indian Ocean, Kenya has recognised the potential of cruise ship tourism as a catalyst for economic growth. In recent years, the government has taken strategic measures to harness the benefits of this industry. We aim at enhancing the country’s global appeal and create sustainable development opportunities,” said Dr Mutua.
The arrival of the ship brings to four the number of cruise ships that have docked in Kenya since November last year.
So far, Kenya has posted 8500 tourist arrivals since the commencement of cruise season in the last three months.
The tourism CS said Kenya’s potential for cruise tourism is huge and the newly refurbished cruise terminal at the port of Mombasa stands as a testimony to the country’s determination to improve infrastructure as it positions Mombasa as a premier destination for cruise tourism.
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.
Among the crew members on the ship are 16 Kenyans who applied for the jobs online. The CS said with the growth of cruise ship tourism many jobs are opening up and Kenyans stand a big chance of directly benefiting from such opportunities considering the high levels of training in the hospitality industry.
The cruise company MSC Cruisers has employed 2,500 Kenyans who work in various ships all over the world.
“Kenyans are hired when they apply online or respond to local advertisements. You do not need to know anyone to get a job. All you need is to be competitive and pass various interviews by the company,” said the CS.
Cruise ship tourism contributes significantly to Kenya’s economy by generating revenue from passenger spending on shore excursions, local goods, and services. Additionally, the influx of tourists stimulates various sectors, including hospitality, transportation, and retail.
The economic impact ripples through local communities, providing employment opportunities and fostering entrepreneurship.
At least 200 passengers aboard took time to visit national parks during the short stop over.
