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ATC News by Wolfgang H. Thome
Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Tourism Mr. Najib Balala has officially launched the construction of a dedicated cruise ship terminal at the Port of Mombasa.
The estimated cost of 350 million Kenya Shillings, equivalent to about 35 million US Dollars, will be funded in part by Trademark East Africa to the extent of 100 million Kenya Shillings while the Kenya Ports Authority will fund the balance.
Speaking at the KPA headquarters on Friday during the launch of the development of the terminal, Balala said the facility will be a game changer in the tourism sector.
“The construction of the terminal will allow for an increased volume of cruise ships to arrive at the port, turning the Port of Mombasa into the main tourist destination in East and Central Africa,” he said.
Launched the development of a state-of-the-art cruise ship terminal at the Port of Mombasa. Funded by @Kenya_Ports & @TradeMarkEastA pic.twitter.com/yZsG21SHQ5
— Najib Balala (@tunajibu) December 17, 2016
The investment, long overdue like many infrastructure projects at the Kenyan coast, is giving rise to hope that Mombasa will finally break into the international cruise itineraries similar to what is presently unfolding across the Indian Ocean islands, where cruise tourism has boomed in 2016.
