Kenya: The Port of Mombasa welcomed the cruise ship MV Europa. Kenya Ports Authority celebrated the return of the ship as it signalled better tidings for cruise tourism of the country.
Reportedly, MV Europa has brought 287 tourists with it and it’s for the second time that Europa has arrived at Kenya. The ongoing influx of cruise ships to Mombasa demonstrates the transformation of the port into a regional powerhouse in the global cruise sector.
Since the beginning of the cruise season, it is the third vessel to dock at the port this year and the fourth for the season. With Europa, coming barely a day after the arrival of MV Azamara which is currently still at the port.
Beyond the foreign exchange earnings due to the visitor numbers, the choice of Mombasa validates Kenya as a premium destination, steering the high-value cruise tourism market to the country.
Considering this, Master of the Vessel – Captain Tom Petzold, who also visited Kenya for the first time and noted that the warm reception and vibrant welcome by Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), Magical Kenya, Inchcape Shipping Services and other stakeholders said that it has been a pleasant experience in Kenya for him and his visitors.
Cruise tourism is a subtle yet powerful barometer of a country renowned for its international travel. Unlike mass tourism, cruise lines are meticulous in their choice of destinations.
Such decisions are influenced by port efficiency, safety, infrastructure, destination appeal and the quality of stakeholder coordination. Willingness of the cruise operators to include Mombasa in their itineraries and more is important to return and suggests that Kenya is meeting these expectations with increasing consistency.
The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) deserves recognition for the role it has played in this turnaround. Over the time, the authority has invested in improving port operations, passenger handling and overall readiness to receive cruise vessels.
Efforts put in cruise tourism thrives on reliability. Ships run on tight schedules and any port that cannot guarantee smooth berthing, clearance and passenger movement quickly falls out of favour.
Notably, the recent sequence of arrivals indicates that Mombasa is steadily building a reputation as a dependable stop along the Indian Ocean Cruise Route.