Between 300,000 and 500,000 local and international tourists are expected to flock to Mombasa later this month as the port city readies to host the 2025 World Tourism Week, packed with colourful festivals, cultural showcases and other thrilling events.

Preparations are in full swing in Mombasa ahead of World Tourism Week scheduled for September 25-28, a curtain-raiser to the National United Nations World Tourism Day celebrations, which will be held simultaneously in Mombasa and Kwale on September 27.

This year’s theme, “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation,” highlights the role of tourism in driving positive change.

Mombasa County Government, through the Mombasa Tourism Council (MTC), has lined up an exciting programme starting September 25. Visitors arriving via the Madaraka Express and Moi International Airport will receive a warm coastal welcome.

On September 26, a festival dubbed FishMish will be held at the Mama Ngina Waterfront. FishMish is a portmanteau of fish and mishkaki. It will showcase Mombasa’s rich food heritage.

“Fish and mishkaki are a signature of Mombasa. Mishkaki actually originated from Mombasa; we are going back to the traditions,” Sam Ikwaye, chairman of MTC, said.

World Tourism Day will kick off with a procession that will start at the iconic Elephant Tusks along Moi Avenue and end at the Mama Ngina Waterfront. Participants will plant trees at the Uhuru Garden.

“On September 28, there will be a motor show and a tuk-tuk race. Tuk-tuks (rickshaw) are a last-mile mode of transport in the port city,” Ikwaye said.

Out of the success of last year’s inaugural tuk-tuk race that attracted huge crowds, 30 tuk-tuk drivers have been trained on tour guiding skills. This has increased their income. Four winners of the race will get return tickets to Dubai in United Arab Emirates, courtesy of Fly Dubai, while the Travellers Beach Hotel will accommodate the overall winner for three nights.

“The tuk-tuk race is an event that we are running for the second year in a row. This is a signature event that we are hoping to build up so that it can become one of our key selling points,” Ikwaye explained.

Tourists were assured that they would receive discounts from airlines and hotels to mark the significant week in the tourism calendar.

County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Trade and Tourism Mohamed Osman encourage residents of Mombasa to come out in numbers to celebrate the week.

The CECM noted that concerted efforts by tourism stakeholders have borne fruit as the number of tourists locally and internationally is on the rise. He affirmed that they have given the stakeholders priority in running the sector.

“Governor Abdulswamad Nassir has ensured that we have a dedicated tourism unit in the inspectorate. Their main task is to ensure the safety of tourists and tourist attraction sites,” he said.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Sadik Hassan and Hadrine Joyce