Kenya’s Port of Mombasa is set to see a spike in tourist arrival numbers, as construction of a luxury cruise-liner berth nears completion.
The project is scheduled to be completed by August this year – in time for the 2019/20 cruise season, which begins in November, according to Construction Review Online.
Jointly funded by the Kenya Ports Authority and TradeMark East Africa, the project is expected to boost the country’s tourism industry, as more cruise ships will be able to dock at the port.
‘Kenya has been eyeing cruise tourism growth after the segment improved significantly in the last two years with thousands of visitors arriving in the country by sea,’ says Najib Balala, Kenya’s Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary. ‘[Cruise ships are] good for the hospitality business. We will get many international tourists and attract big ships. We should create awareness of cruise-ship tourism so that Kenyans can tap into that business.’
The project, which started in 2016, includes the modernisation of an old building and the construction of arrival and departure areas, an immigration office, reception counters, a passenger lounge, restaurant and souvenir shops.
