KENYA: Africa To Jointly Market Cruise Tourism

African countries should pursue an integrated approach in marketing and promoting cruise tourism to gain from the sector, a industry lobby has proposed.

Catherine Mturi-Wairi, the chair of the Cruise Indian Ocean Association (CIOA), who is also Kenya Ports Authority's managing director, has urged member countries to exploit the continent’s potential in the sector.

Speaking on Tuesday during the opening of a cruise tourism workshop in Victoria, Seychelles, Ms Wairi said the region had a diversity of natural wonders on land and sea complemented by competitive ports and tourism bodies that would support cruise tourism.

It will be appreciated that cruise shipping is one of the fastest growing sectors of the tourism industry.

The industry shows no signs of slowing down, with 24 million passengers having sailed in 2016 globally, a dramatic increase from 15 million 10 years earlier, she said through Bernard Osero, KPA spokesman.

Ms Mturi-Wairi noted that eastern, southern Africa and the Indian Ocean islands provide an excellent alternative option to the traditional cruise circuits, adding that the sector, if well harnessed, could propel regional economies.

To grow the industry and offer unique experiences, she called for collaboration among port authorities, major stakeholders and their partners.

KPA is currently developing a cruise terminal at the Mombasa port at a cost of Sh100 million.

My view is that our region represents an important niche for cruise development. The popularity of the safari/cruise package available in the region is growing rapidly, Ms Mturi-Wairi told delegates at the CIOA forum.

The theme of the two-day workshop is on the role of integrated tourism as a method to revive cruise tourism.

Countries represented are Kenya, Seychelles, South Africa, Mauritius, Uganda, Zambia, Namibia and Sudan.

CIOA was founded under the auspices of the Port Management Association of Eastern and Southern Africa (PMAESA), one of the regional bodies set up by the United Nations Economic Commission of Africa.

The association’s key objectives include promoting and marketing the eastern and southern Africa region and south west Indian Ocean islands and performing liaison functions between members and cruise line players.

The association also researches, develops and maintains a statistical database on port networks and information pertaining to cruise tourism worldwide and to provide a forum for a unified and integrated approach to cruise tourism.

The workshop was attended by Mauritius minister for tourism Mr Kumarisingh Gaya, Seychelles tourism PS Ms Anne La Fortune and Seychelles Port Authority chief executive Colonel Andre Ciseau.

Others were PMAESA Secretary-General Ms Nozipho Mdawe, CEO Transnet South Africa Mr Richard Valliu, Uganda's Ambassador for Mombasa Consulate, Katurebe Tayebwa and Kenya Tourism Board product manager Mr Fred Okeyo.


Tourism Observer
www.tourismobserver.com

KENYA: KPA To Build Cruise Ship Terminal At Mombasa Port

Dancers welcome cruise ship MS Nautica when it docked at the Port of Mombasa on November 13, 2015. KPA plans to build a Sh100 million terminal for welcoming tourists on cruise ships.

The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) will spend Sh100 million to construct a terminal for welcoming tourists on cruise ships at the port of Mombasa.

The port lacks a cruise facility for hosting holidaymakers when they arrive in Mombasa by sea.

The port captured headlines in June when the World Travel Awards voted it as Africa’s best cruise port.

Five years ago, it attracted over 10,000 cruise tourists per year before the number took a plunge due to pirate attacks in Somalia territorial waters.

Only two cruise ships docked at the port in 2014 with 900 passengers.

KPA principal communications officer Haji Masemo said construction works will start in 2016.

Mr Masemo stressed the need for the terminal following an increase in the number of tourists to more than 1,800 this year from 900 in 2014.

He also noted the number of cruise ship visits increased from two in 2014 to three this month.

Another ship is expected before the end of November.

“Following a decline in pirate attacks, thanks to the efforts of the Kenya Defence Forces and naval forces of the international community, cruise ships are now coming back to Mombasa,” Mr Masemo said.

He added: “That is why it is necessary for the port to have a terminal where tourists can rest on arrival or before departure.”

Mr Masemo said the port which is a member of the Cruise Indian Ocean Association is capitalising on the organisation to woo back more cruise ships and holidaymakers.

Last week, MS Nautica arrived at the port with 684 tourists and 386 crew members bringing hope for the revival of the ailing sector.

Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers Coast executive officer Sam Ikwaye said it is important for the port to have the facility to improve services offered to cruise tourists.

He noted that improvement of facilities would help attract more tourists.

“Months ago, the port was recognised as the best and therefore it should have a world-class terminal where tourists can relax,” he said.

He added: “KPA should take advantage of the accolade to attract more cruise ships to Mombasa and help revive the tourism sector.”

Kenya Tourism Board boss Muriithi Ndegwa termed the decision by the US and UK governments to lift of the travel advisories against Mombasa as a major boost to tourism.

“Cruise tourism benefits the industry more since sea travellers are big spenders,” said Mr Muriithi.

The KTB boss added that Mombasa is expected to attract more cruise ships since security had significantly improved in the region.

He explained that KTB would market the destination in international cruise tourism markets to woo back more holidaymakers.

“When the cruise tourists arrive in Mombasa, they go on safari to the national parks as well as visit cultural and historical sites,” he explained.