Kenya’s cruise tourism sector is slowly gaining steam, with the modern cruise ship terminal at the Port of Mombasa offering fresh opportunities for the country’s travel industry. Built at a cost of more than Sh1.3 billion, the three-storey facility was designed to meet international standards, complete with lounges, duty-free shops, restaurants, immigration offices and accessibility features for differently-abled passengers.
Yet despite its state-of-the-art design, the terminal has struggled to attract regular cruise traffic, leaving large parts of it under-utilised. Industry observers note that while the number of cruise arrivals rose significantly in 2024 to over 6,500 visitors compared to about 2,400 the previous year, Kenya is still far from tapping the full potential of the global cruise market.
The government is moving to change this picture. Recent reforms, including the rollout of a multiple-entry electronic travel authorisation (eTA), are intended to make it easier for passengers docking in Mombasa to explore the country. Tourism officials have also intensified marketing efforts, positioning Kenya as a gateway for both Indian Ocean cruising and inland safari experiences.
For travel agents, the opportunity is clear. Cruise tourists typically spend on shore excursions, cultural tours and shopping, offering agents a lucrative new market segment. The Mombasa stopover can be packaged with safaris, beach holidays or city tours, extending a visitor’s stay beyond a few hours at the port. Agents who can deliver high-quality, time-sensitive itineraries stand to gain the most, particularly if they build partnerships with cruise lines or position themselves as specialists in this niche.
However, challenges remain. Cruise ships often prefer to contract large, established operators for shore excursions, making it harder for smaller firms to break in. Logistics outside the port, from road transport to security, also need strengthening to match global standards. And while Kenya has ambitions of becoming a major cruise hub, competition from neighbouring destinations on the Indian Ocean coast is intensifying.
Still, the outlook is optimistic. If infrastructure is complemented by aggressive marketing and improved service standards, Mombasa’s cruise terminal could become more than an architectural showpiece. For Kenya’s travel agents, it represents a chance to diversify offerings, reach high-spending tourists, and carve out a new growth frontier in the country’s tourism economy.