COSTA Cruises, the first cruise line to launch regular cruising in the Middle East back in 2006 and leading with the highest capacity during the 2013/2014 season, has confirmed it is joining nine other leading cruise lines for the Seatrade Middle East Cruise Forum in Abu Dhabi.
Dario Rustico, director of sales and marketing, Central Europe, Africa, Middle East and India, Costa Cruises, will spend several days in the UAE capital discussing the development of cruising in the Middle East amongst other key regional issues.
Rustico said: “The UAE and region is a firm fixture in our winter deployment and we are planning to invest more to develop the local source market. For the 2013/2014 season, we will deploy two ships in the region – the Costa Fortuna with a capacity for 3,470 passengers and the Costa NeoRiviera which has a capacity for 1,727 passengers – offering cruises calling at Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Muscat and Khasab.
“The two ships will make a total of 27 cruises in the region and next year we will deploy a larger ship, the Costa Serena, which has a capacity for 3,780 passengers for another 17 cruises.”
The three-day Seatrade Middle East Cruise Forum takes place at the Rosewood Abu Dhabi, Al Maryah Island from 9 to 11 this month and is organised by Seatrade, with the support of Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) and its Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau.
“The calibre of attending cruise line executives provides us, our regional counterparts and stakeholders, with essential face-to-face time with the decision-makers at the sharp end of the cruise industry so we can hear their concerns first-hand, together identify opportunities and forge stronger working relationships. This approach is in line with our strategy of involving stakeholders in the development of our ambitions and we view attendance as a vital investment for the region in realising its cruise ambitions,” said Sultan Al Dhaheri, director Tourism Eco-Systems, TCA Abu Dhabi.
Other participants include Azamara Club Cruises, Crystal Cruises Inc, Carnival UK, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Silversea Cruises, TUI Cruises GmbH and The World. Delegates will hear from the cruise line operators and other global experts as they discuss the region’s cruise challenges and opportunities.
The event launches with a summit attended by regional ministers, tourism leaders, port and immigration officials which will then be followed by a full-day conference programme which is open to anyone with a vested interest in the cruise industry.
The forum will also include a workshop where each of the hosted cruise line executives will have one-on-one appointments with officials from participating destinations. Networking opportunities include a welcome reception and gala dinner which will be attended by all delegates and summit participants.
“For cruising to move forward in the region, some key areas have to be addressed,” added Chris Hayman, chairman of Seatrade, organisers of the event. “This forum will discuss these issues and make decisions to enable a new chapter in Middle East cruising to begin.”