-Cruise Captain Tonci Hladilo appreciated for the warm welcome describing Mombasa as an essential stop in the cruise tourism circuit, promising that the ship would return to Mombasa next year.
MAARUFU MOHAMED-GOLFNEWSLINKS.
The Port of Mombasa celebrated the arrival of cruise ship MS Crystal Symphony which docked on Monday morning, signaling a boost at the port’s connectivity in Mombasa County.
This luxurious cruise liner, making its inaugural visit to Mombasa, sailed in from Mahé in Seychelles with 373 tourists and 475 crew members onboard and after spending two days in Mombasa the cruise liner is expected to depart for Zanzibar.
Earlier, about 300 tourists from the ship took the chance to explore the city of Mombasa and nearby national parks.
During a brief reception ceremony at the cruise terminal, General Manager Finance & Commercial Services, Geoffrey Kavate emphasized the Authority’s commitment to enhancing cruise tourism.
Kavate highlighted the importance of ongoing infrastructural development and collaboration with various agencies to create effective marketing strategies that aim to attract more cruise ships, noting that the future looks bright for cruise tourism.
Captain Tonci Hladilo of the MS Crystal Symphony was presented with the first certificate of call and a plaque to commemorate the ship’s visit to the port of Mombasa.
He expressed his appreciation for the warm welcome describing Mombasa as an essential stop in the cruise tourism circuit, promising that the ship would return to Mombasa next year.
Captain Tonci Hladilo of the MS Crystal Symphony. Photo by Maarufu Mohamed, golfnewslinks.
Attending the event were the Mombasa County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Tourism, Culture, and Trade in Mombasa County Mohamed Osman Ali, representatives from Inchcape Shipping Services, senior Government officials and industry representatives from the Tourism sector.
Earlier in February, the Port of Mombasa also celebrated the reception of two cruise ships MS Europa and MV World Odyssey.
The MV Europa which called Mombasa after a ten-year hiatus, cruised from Zanzibar with 334 tourists and 285 crew members on board and is set to continue its journey to Seychelles.
The 222 tourists from the ship also took the opportunity to explore Mombasa city and visit nearby national parks.
MV World Odyssey, popularly known as ‘Semester at Sea’ arrived from Cochin, India on its fourth call to Mombasa, carrying 677 students and 178 crew members and stayed at the Port of Mombasa for six days.
Managing Director Captain William Ruto reiterated KPA’s dedication to boosting cruise tourism as the season looks promising with more arrivals of Cruise ship bringing more than 2,000 tourists.
The cruise tourism market has become the fastest growing segment in the entire travel industry across the globe and there is plenty of variety of cruises on offer these days.
Cruise tourism is fundamentally a form of enclave tourism, and it incorporates all the aspects of the tourism industry such as transportation, accommodation, attractions, and hospitality.
In the same month the port witnessed the arrival of luxury Cruise Liner Norwegian Dawn from Seychelles with 2220 tourists aboard.
With a length overall of 294 meters and a draft of 8.3 meters, she is one of the largest cruise vessels to ever call Mombasa bringing the largest numbers of tourists from various nationalities majorly the United States of America to the Kenyan shores.
Enhanced infrastructure notably a modern cruise terminal and other strategic developments have led to a surge in cruise vessel calls at the ports of Mombasa and Lamu positioning Kenya as key destination for international cruise liners.
She sailed to Mombasa barely one week since the port hosted two other cruise vessels, MS Europa and MS World Odyssey popularly known as ‘Semester at Sea’.
MV Norwegian Dawn received a special treatment with Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir witnessing the arrival of the vessel which was also piloted by the KPA Managing Director Capt. William Ruto in the early morning hours when she arrived.
Passengers aboard Norwegian Dawn enjoyed various activities during their one-day stay in Mombasa including visiting Tsavo and Amboseli National parks, city excursions and a tour of the Wasini island.
ENDS.
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