With just days into 2026, the tourism sector continues to gain momentum away from the festive season. This is thanks to a rise in cruise ship arrivals, which are playing a major role in the country’s push to reach five million international visitors by 2027.
The year started with a bang as the port of Mombasa welcomed the luxury cruise liner Crystal Symphony with over 600 tourists and 400 crew members on board.
The 31-year-old Bahamas-flagged ship which is moving from South Africa made a 48-hour stopover in Mombasa before it continues on to India. According to June Chepkemei, Kenya Tourism Board CEO, the year has already started on a high note, especially with notable growth expected in cruise tourism.
“This particular ship has brought over 600 travellers and crew members, with about 200 of them disembarking. That goes to show that their presence here is already having a significant impact on the Kenya Coast. Some of them have already gone on excursions across different parts of the region,” Chepkemei said.
This continues the trend experienced last year whereby the cruise tourism recorded a 140% growth. In fact, with six more cruises expected by February 2026, the sector is expected to surpass the numbers this year.
“As six more cruise ships are expected to dock in the country by February, we are hitting our targets, and we are happy to continue growing the sector. We invite all tourists to Tembea Kenya, Tembea Magical Kenya,” she added.
The growth in the sector can be attributed to key government interventions, including the introduction of the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system and the implementation of the open sky policy.
The open sky policy has been particularly impactful as it enables tourists who arrive by sea to easily board direct flights out of Kenya after their visit, making the country a more flexible and appealing travel hub according to Mohamed Osman, Mombasa County Executive Committee Member for Trade and Tourism.
“If we are to achieve the target of five million international tourists by 2027, we must increase flight connectivity,” added Osman.
The government has also committed to supporting cruise tourism in order to spur economic growth. This was reaffirmed by John Turasha Kinyanjui, Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) Corporation Secretary, who welcomed the guests and pledged to continue supporting tourists to encourage their to return.
This welcoming atmosphere was echoed by the Crystal Symphony’s Cruise Director, Vicki Van Tassel, who described the sail into Mombasa as beautiful and thanked Kenyan authorities for the warm reception.
“It was a beautiful sailing, and the slightly overcast sky made for the best pictures. We are excited to be here and have wonderful tours planned for our guests in Mombasa. We couldn’t be more honoured to be welcomed and celebrated by your country,” Van Tassel said.
This growing cruise activity builds on strong foundations. The Port of Mombasa was named Africa’s leading cruise facility in 2017, and recent infrastructure improvements have enhanced its capacity. Passenger numbers have surged from 2,490 in 2023 to 6,561 in 2024.
No doubt, Kenya holds a competitive edge in the region. Through continued investment in port facilities, streamlined travel policies, and active promotion of coastal and safari experiences, the economy continues to solidify itself as a premier cruise destination.
