In a significant milestone for Lamu’s tourism industry, the General Manager of Kenya Ports Authority, Vincent Sidai, has expressed confidence in the region’s cruise tourism prospects following the historic docking of the first cruise ship in Lamu’s Shela area.
The arrival of MV SH DIANA marks a positive turn, indicating growing confidence among foreign investors and tourists due to the enhanced security measures implemented by the national government to establish Lamu as a premier tourism destination.
In an interview with KNA in Lamu, Sidai shared his optimism, stating, “We expect more ships to dock at the Port of Lamu, with three additional cruise ships scheduled later this year.
This is a result of our extensive marketing efforts targeting both the coastal county and the Port. The successful docking of MV SH DIANA serves as a testament to the increased trust in Lamu’s security and infrastructure, he added.
Last month, Lamu Port MD Captain William Ruto emphasized the Port’s active promotion to shipping lines across various sectors, aiming to bolster business at the Port of Lamu.
Ruto revealed plans to designate a specific berth for cruise ships and the construction of 36 more berths in collaboration with private investors is already underway.
Since its commissioning, Lamu Port has received 45 ships and efforts are being made to enhance supporting infrastructure, including the rehabilitation of Lamu jetties, ensuring Lamu’s status as an appealing cruise tourism destination.
The county Executive for Tourism Aisha Miraj echoed the positive sentiments, praising Lamu’s entry into cruise tourism as a significant development that strengthens Lamu’s recognition as a World Heritage Site.
She emphasized the substantial benefits Lamu stands to gain from cruise tourism and highlighted ongoing initiatives to boost terrestrial tourism.
“The county government, in collaboration with Kenya Wildlife Services, is working to secure and plan for attractions such as the Mokowe Animal Orphanage, Dodori National Reserve, and the Kiunga Water Reserve, aiming to enhance the county’s tourism sector,” Miraj explained.
She also revealed that the county government has allocated Sh50 million towards tourism development and is closely coordinating with the national government to maximize the sector’s potential for foreign exchange earnings.
Despite the initial cruise ship bringing in 57 tourists, Miraj expressed confidence that the next three cruise ships would establish a trend of attracting even more visitors to the county.
She emphasized the municipality’s efforts to maintain the cleanliness of Lamu’s Old Town, ensuring positive reviews for the World Heritage Site among tourists.
“The successful docking of the first cruise ship marks a significant step towards Lamu’s ambitions of becoming a premier cruise tourism destination, with promising prospects for future growth and economic benefits for the region,” Lamu Governor Issa Timamy further reiterated.
By Amenya Ochieng
