DUBAI’S cruise terminal played host to over 120,205 tourists in 2007, and during the current winter season the emirate expects more than 200,000 cruise passengers to visit, giving the already booming tourism industry here a further boost, reported the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM).
Mr. Awadh Seghayer Al Ketbi, DTCM executive director of Dubai Cruise Terminal, said, “The cruise tourism industry in Dubai is gaining strength each passing year and the year 2007 witnessed performance exceeding the projections. Dubai has emerged as preferred destination of choice for the global cruise liners.
“Several new cruise liners started successfully using Dubai as a regional hub for their operation. This spectacular performance is a major boost to the growth of regional cruise tourism.”
The ship shaped Dubai Cruise Terminal, which opened in 2001, measures 3300 square metres and is able to accommodate two ships simultaneously on a 335 metre quay.
The Dubai Cruise Terminal is the world’s first to receive ISO-9002 certification and also the world’s only cruise facility run by the government tourism body, the DTCM.
DTCM signed an agreement with cruise operator Costa Crociere. The agreement marks the creation of a fully fledged partnership between Costa Crociere and Dubai, providing an opportunity for joint marketing initiatives during the next five years promoting both brands worldwide. Dubai handled 32,000 cruise passenger movements in 2006, up from 23,000 cruise passengers in the previous year.
Silver lining
Silver Cloud, an English cruise ship, made three round trips to Dubai in March. It arrived at the Dubai Cruise Terminal in Port Rashid Complex for a one day sojourn, and departed from Dubai shores with about 462 passengers and 215 crew members.
The cruise ship docks in Dubai, which has a cruise terminal measuring 3300 sq m and is able to accommodate two ships simultaneously on a 335 metre quay. A total of 241 passengers left the cruise while 271 replaced them on its return journey.
Most of the Silver Cloud’s passengers were British nationals. The passengers and crew members were accorded a traditional Arabian welcome at the terminal operated by the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing.