AMID ONGOING DEVELOPMENTS AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF NUMEROUS INITIATIVES, THE REGION IS JUST GETTING STARTED.
According to Dubai Cruise Tourism, following an exceptional 2015-2016 season which saw a 19 percent increase in cruise visitors and a 24 percent surge in the number of ship calls, Dubai’s current term is looking even more promising.
“This season, we anticipate the arrival of over 600,000 cruise tourists as more than 150 ships anchor in the emirate in the coming months,” revealed Jamal Humaid Al Falasi, director, Dubai Cruise Tourism (DCT), marking an 18 percent year-on-year increase .
Yet another indicator of the emirate’s popularity, Dubai is set to welcome the regional debut of Norwegian Cruise Line and Thomson Cruises, hailed as the first ever UK-based line to home port in the emirate.
Furthermore, Al Falasi added that Dubai will serve as the maiden port for six global cruise lines, meaning the expanding line up amounts to 23 cruise operators.
Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi is expecting to attract some 250,000 passengers, a year-on-year boost of nine percent, in its longest ever cruise season, which after being inaugurated in October, will run until June 06, 2017.
A total of 23 ships will use the new state-of-the-art terminal at Zayed Port as its winter base or make port-of-call visits, including three ships originating from the city and nine vessels making weekly stopovers.
However, the growth is certainly not limited to the UAE.
Salim Adi Al Mamari, director general, tourism promotion, Ministry of Tourism, Oman, disclosed that 152 vessels will call into Oman in the current season, a notable rise compared to 2015-2016 which saw 135 ship calls.
Moreover, Qatar will welcome 32 liners, marking a three-fold rise on 2015-2016, bringing with them more than 50,000 tourists.
When taking into consideration that globally the cruise segment rose approximately three percent in 2015, as shown in IPH International’s World Travel Monitor survey, it becomes transparent how rapidly the Middle Eastern industry is soaring.
Cruise liners are also reaping the rewards, as Mohamed Saeed, general manager, Middle East, Royal Caribbean Arabia, noted, demand continues to increase, reaching double-digit percentage growth, due to enhanced awareness of the region.
Speaking in agreement, Abby Penlington, marketing and communications manager, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises, added that the popular winter destination achieves high satisfaction ratings.
