The Port of Mombasa has welcomed the World Odyssey, a floating university carrying 609 international students, in a development expected to boost Kenya’s coastal tourism and educational exchange. The MV World Odyssey sailed into Kilindini Harbour at dawn, bringing a mix of academic curiosity and economic opportunity to the region.
For the students on board, the visit is more than a stopover—it forms part of an immersive global learning experience.
The arrival highlights Mombasa’s resurgence as a key destination for cruise tourism and international academic programs in the post-pandemic era.
The visit is expected to inject around $1.5 million (approximately Sh195 million) into the local economy, benefiting businesses across the coast.
The Semester at Sea program, under which the ship operates, treats the vessel as a mobile campus where students study while traveling the globe.
During their stay in Kenya, students will engage in courses covering cultural studies, marine biology, and developing economies. They will also travel inland, interact with local communities, visit Tsavo National Park, and collaborate with students from the University of Nairobi and Pwani University.
The economic impact of the World Odyssey’s visit is significant. Local tour operators, hospitality providers, and curio vendors around Fort Jesus are expecting increased business.
More than 50 tour buses have been chartered for inland excursions, and an estimated Sh40 million will be spent on hospitality and logistics within the first 48 hours.
The docking also validates the Kenya Ports Authority’s recent Sh1.2 billion investment in modernizing the cruise terminal.
Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir welcomed the students, emphasizing that educational tourism is key to sustainable coastal development.
During their visit, students will explore East African history, conservation efforts, human-wildlife conflict, and Kenya’s innovative mobile money system, M-Pesa. This cross-cultural engagement aims to provide the visiting students with a deeper understanding of the region’s social and economic dynamics.
The World Odyssey is the fifth cruise vessel to dock in Mombasa this year, signaling a strong recovery for Kenya’s maritime tourism sector.
The collaboration between the Kenya Tourism Board and port authorities demonstrates a high level of operational efficiency. A senior tourism official noted, “Kenya is not just a destination; it is a classroom where the future leaders of the world come to understand the resilience of the African spirit.”
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