www.allAfrica.com An inaugural charter flight from the Czech Republic arrived in Mombasa in mid-February  in what is a further boost to the local tourism industry.

The flight, managed by Travel Services, is expected at the Moi International Airport with 174 tourists.

Kenya Tourist Board corporate affairs and public relations manager Rose Kwena said in a statement that the aeroplane would be flying twice a month from Prague to Mombasa.

Czech Republic, she said, was one of the emerging markets being targeted by KTB. In 2005, Kenya recorded an increase of 16 per cent in the number of visitors from Czech Republic compared to 2004. Some 1,917 Czechs visited Kenya last year.

The arrival of a direct charter from Prague is coming at a time when the cruise tourism in the country is picking up from the slump in early 2000. Four cruise ships have already called at the Mombasa port with tourists, who were taken on various excursions at the coast since the beginning of the year.

Ground handlers for the charter will be African Quest safaris.

Meanwhile, a German cruise ship will next week make its first voyage into Mombasa. Ms Deutschland will make a three-day stopover in what industry players say is likely to significantly increase earnings for the country.

Tour operator Abercrombie and Kent managing director Auni Kanji said the ship would bring in 800 tourists. Among those on board is the star of a popular German TV series, Dreamboat.

The party is scheduled to visit historical sites and other tourist attractions.