Construction of the first-ever cruise ship terminal at the port of Mombasa, Kenya, began in December last year and is expected to be completed in August.

Kenya’s Tourism Cabinet Secretary, Najib Balala, said the construction of the cruise terminal would cost Sh350 million ($3.5 million) with Sh250 million ($2.5 million) funding from Kenya Ports Authority and Sh100 million ($1 million) from TradeMark East Africa.

He added that the project involved the modernisation of an old building at the port’s berth number 1. He said the terminal would be ready for use when the next cruise tourism season began in September.

“The availability of a cruise terminal at the port of Mombasa will be a game changer to tourism, as it will help attract more visitors to the country.”

Balala said he was impressed that cruise tourism was on the path to recovery, with two cruise ships having arrived last month with more than 1 000 tourists and crew. He has directed new Kenya Tourism Board, CEO, Betty Radier, to give priority to cruise tourism marketing to woo more tourists.

Kenya Ports Authority, MD, Catherine Mturi-Wairi, said the launch of the construction of the cruise terminal came at a time when the port was experiencing a rise in ship arrivals. Last season, she said, the port received 10 cruise ships that brought in more than 6 000 tourists.

Mturi-Wairi said a survey carried out in 2015 by Tourism and Transport Consult International on Kenya’s cruise tourism potential, had shown that Mombasa could attract 140 000 passengers per year.

She said the cruise terminal would offer a range of facilities, including a lounge area for passengers, reception counters for cruise operators, restaurants and souvenir shops.