Kenya to Introduce Multi-Entry ETA to Boost Cruise Tourism
Kenya will implement a multi-entry Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) for cruise passengers, eliminating repeated permits and aiming to draw more ships to Mombasa’s port as part of a wider push to reach 5 million annual tourists by 2027.
Kenya is set to introduce a multi-entry Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA).
Kenyan President William Ruto has announced that the government will revise visa and eTA requirements for passengers arriving at the port of Mombasa, in an effort to boost cruise tourism growth.
Mr Ruto explained that the new multi-entry eTA (previously single-entry) will allow cruise passengers visiting Mombasa to move freely between their cruise ships and the city without needing a permit each time they disembark.
According to the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, Kenya welcomed 6,561 cruise tourists last year, representing a 163.5% growth in the cruise tourism sector.
Impact of the multi-entry eTA
The Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, Rebecca Miano, said the introduction of the multi-entry eTA, along with increased investment in port infrastructure, is expected to attract more cruise ships to the Port of Mombasa, further boosting the cruise tourism industry.
Rise in international tourist arrivals
The Ministry of Tourism also revealed that international tourist arrivals to Kenya rose by 15% to reach 2.4 million, up from 2.09 million in 2023. Tourism receipts also increased by 19.8% to 452.20 billion Kenyan shillings (about 3.49 billion US dollars), compared with 2.92 billion US dollars in 2023.
President Ruto called on the private sector to develop hospitality infrastructure to meet the growing number of tourists and improve Kenya’s overall tourism experience. He emphasized seamless entry procedures for tourists, especially those arriving by cruise ship, and urged the private sector to capitalize on the growing tourism industry.
The announcement was made as the Norwegian Dawn, a luxury cruise ship, docked Sunday morning with 2,200 passengers and more than 1,000 crew members.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlmrcFMkq2Y
Target: 2027?
Kenya has set an ambitious goal: to host 5 million tourists per year by 2027, a significant increase from the 2.4 million recorded in 2024. The president noted that tourism revenue rose to about 450 billion Kenyan shillings in 2024.
Eight more cruise ships are expected to dock at the Mombasa Cruise Terminal before the end of the season, further cementing Kenya’s position as a key player in the global cruise tourism market.
