KPA applauds streamlined ETA system amid surge in cruise tourism
KPA Chairman Benjamin Tayari praised the government for its continued focus on digitising travel systems, noting that the streamlined ETA platform had significantly reduced delays for travelers entering the country.
The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) has commended the government’s efforts to improve the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, saying the initiative is already bearing fruit through a surge in international arrivals by sea and smoother processing of travel documents.
This comes as the luxury cruise ship MV SH Diana docked at the Port of Mombasa to a lively reception, marking the vessel’s third visit to Kenya’s coastline.
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The ship, carrying 120 passengers and 129 crew members, had completed a five-day voyage along the country’s picturesque Indian Ocean route, making stops in Shimoni and Lamu before its final leg to Mombasa.
A jubilant crowd, including port officials, tourism stakeholders and county representatives, gathered at the Mombasa Cruise Terminal to welcome the visitors with music and traditional Swahili dances.
Speaking during the colourful ceremony, KPA Chairman Benjamin Tayari praised the government for its continued focus on digitising travel systems, noting that the streamlined ETA platform had significantly reduced delays for travellers entering the country.
“This reform has made it easier for tourists to visit Kenya, especially through our seaports. The improvement in efficiency is clear from the growing number of cruise passengers arriving in Mombasa,” Tayari said.
He urged both national and county tourism departments to intensify marketing efforts that would position Mombasa as a leading cruise tourism destination in East Africa.
KPA Managing Director Captain William Ruto revealed that cruise passenger numbers had grown dramatically in the last four years from 646 in 2020 to 6,557 in 2024.
KPA Managing Director Captain William Ruto. (Photo: KPA/X)
“We are witnessing a remarkable resurgence in cruise tourism, and we expect even stronger figures this season. Our commitment is to continue investing in port infrastructure that supports this growth while ensuring visitors enjoy a seamless experience,” Captain Ruto said.
He added that collaboration between the KPA, the Kenya Tourism Board, and the county government had been instrumental in improving the sector, particularly in maintaining security and navigational safety along Kenya’s coastline, key factors that reassure cruise operators and international tourists.
The festive mood at the port came just hours after Captain Ruto held a high-level meeting with executives from the CMA CGM Group, one of the world’s leading shipping lines, to discuss strengthening partnerships in cargo handling and maritime logistics.
The discussions, held at the KPA headquarters, centred on enhancing transhipment connectivity, advancing digitalisation in port operations, and improving cargo evacuation efficiency at both Mombasa and Lamu ports.
Captain Ruto expressed appreciation for the company’s continued confidence in Kenya’s ports, noting that CMA CGM’s choice of both Mombasa and Lamu for import, export, and transhipment operations demonstrated trust in the country’s maritime capabilities.
CMA CGM Vice-President Thomas Ghiani reaffirmed the company’s long-term commitment to Kenya, describing the partnership as key to promoting sustainable trade growth in the region.
Recently, CMA CGM designated Lamu Port as one of its key transhipment hubs, where cargo from Asia and the Gulf is redistributed to smaller vessels serving regional destinations such as Mombasa, Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam.
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