Newly Built Ksh1B Cruise Terminal Tipped to Change Tourism [PHOTOS]

A section of the newly built cruise terminal in Mombasa
A section of the newly built cruise terminal in Mombasa
Twitter

The Presidential Delivery Unit (PDU) on Tuesday, June 23 offered a glimpse into the Ksh1 billion cruise terminal being constructed in Mombasa.

It was disclosed that the project is 95% complete. The terminal was tipped to change tourism in Kenya by positioning Mombasa as the leading destination for cruise ships traversing the East African coast.

The terminal features a three-story building with various facilities targeting international travelers arriving in Mombasa on cruise ships from around the world.

It includes duty-free shops, lounges and port health facilities as well as logistics and immigration facilities.

A section of the newly built cruise terminal in Mombasa
A section of the newly built cruise terminal in Mombasa
Twitter

The terminal was designed with a view of ensuring a comfortable, unique experience for visitors on cruise ships docking at the Port of Mombasa.

"On average, a cruise ship can accommodate over 400 passengers and 300 crew members. These numbers rise during tourism peak seasons.

According to the PDU, previously, cruise ships have been docking at the cargo terminal. This new facility is set to offer a dedicated section for these ships to dock at the port of Mombasa, the region's busiest port.

"This will enhance the tourism destination attractiveness of Mombasa, and Kenya at large," the PDU noted in a statement.

President Uhuru Kenyatta had personally inspected the project in April 2019 during its construction, noting its importance in growing the tourism and hospitality industry.

Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala disclosed at the time that the government was in negotiations with major cruise companies to secure partnerships to have large cruise ships dock at the Coast.

Among them is California based luxury cruise ship operator Princess Cruises, which the government had been wooing to make Mombasa its home port once construction of the terminal was completed.

From a high of 5,072 passengers who arrived in Mombasa on cruise vessels in 2015, the number has been dwindling steadily and hit 2,333 in 2018.

It is hoped that the new terminal will lead to an influx of tourists in Mombasa once travel resumes as Covid-19 travel restrictions are eased around the world.

A section of the newly built cruise terminal in Mombasa
A section of the newly built cruise terminal in Mombasa
Twitter
A section of the newly built cruise terminal in Mombasa
A section of the newly built cruise terminal in Mombasa
Twitter

 

A section of the newly built cruise terminal in Mombasa
A section of the newly built cruise terminal in Mombasa
Twitter