Mombasa hotel, EnglishPoint Marina, is set to unveil its Ksh350 million ($3.5 million) marina facility early next year.

According to the hotel owner, Alnoor Kanji, it will be the first marina in Kenya, providing berthing for 50-60 luxury yachts of up to 30m long.

Initially due to be opened this year, its completion has been delayed by construction and engineering challenges. Kanji says the marina is expected to attract billionaires and their super-yachts to Mombasa.

Currently, he says, yachts visiting Mombasa have to anchor at sea. “As a result, the yacht owners must keep the engines running while the vessels are anchored in the ocean.”

The marina will also provide water, electricity, refuelling facilities and waste disposal.

Kanji said the marina had already attracted interest from yacht owners around the world. “We want to turn Mombasa into a tourism hub such as Monte Carlo, which attracts large numbers of super-yachts owned by global billionaires.”

Last month, a Nairobi-based hospitality management company, ONYX, took over the management of the EnglishPoint Marina, which has 26 luxury rooms and over 90 apartments.  ONYX has a 10-year management contract. “Our major aim is to offer guests world-class services as our priority is to attract well-off clientele,” said ONYX Co-Director, Ghulam Samdani.