UAE backs cruise based tourism
The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) expects cruise passengers to increase to 135 ships with 475,000 passengers in 2012.
The number of passengers to Dubai via the cruise industry is expected to increase by 50,000 year-on-year for the forecast period until 2015, according to Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) Director Majid Al Marri.
Al Marri said that this year's cruise season is expected to bring a 425,000 passengers to the emirate via 120 cruise ships.
DTCM expects cruise passengers to increase to 135 ships with 475,000 passengers in 2012; 150 ships with 525 passengers in 2013; 165 ships with 575,000 passengers in 2014, and 180 ships with 625,000 passengers in 2015.
Al Marri explained "the establishment of Dubai Cruise Terminal in March 2001 marks a milestone in the history of cruise tourism in the region. It opened the doors to a gulf of opportuntiies for the industry.
"In 2009, a total of 87 cruise ships visited Dubai, bringing in 262,740 passengers and by the end of 2010, a total of 103 cruise ships would have visited Dubai, bringing in 390,225 passengers."
Meanwhile the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Ports Company and Abu Dhabi Terminals, has erected a new tented cruise terminal at Mina Zayed which is capable of simultaneously accommodating 1,300 passengers.
The facility has been designed to cater for the 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 cruise seasons and spans 2,000 metres2 with two dedicated halls - one a luggage-handling facility, the other a passenger centre complete with a waiting lounge, security section, prayer rooms, offices, visitor information centre, currency exchange as well as customs and immigration facilities.
Image: Artist's impression of the cruise terminal at Mina Zayed.
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