Having established a strong foothold in cruise tourism in a short span of time, Dubai is today sailing at a high speed with its new Cruise Terminal on board to become the Middle East's ultimate cruise destination.
"Cruise tourism plays a crucial role in the overall growth and development of the tourism industry in the emirate. We realised its importance long ago and created the infrastructure and services that were needed to tap its potential. The new terminal will meet the increase demand that has been recorded in cruise tourists to Dubai," said Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) Director-General Khalid A bin Sulayem.
HIGH GROWTH AHEAD
In 2010, Dubai is expected to host 120 ships at its new Cruise Terminal, which was launched earlier this year, with more than 383,000 passengers, according to the DTCM. Last year, meanwhile, saw 87 ships and 261,000 passengers pass through Dubai's Port Rashid Terminal.
It thus comes as no surprise that Dubai's cruise tourism market is estimated to grow 77 per cent by 2015, as per the DTCM's estimates. As Hamad Mohamed bin Mejren, Executive Director, Business Tourism, DTCM, recently told Emirates Business: "By 2015, we are estimating 195 cruise calls or 575,000 passengers to head to our shores.
"To achieve this growth, we have invested in our infrastructure by building a state-of-the-art cruise terminal. Alongside, we are also working closely with Abu Dhabi, Fujairah, Muscat and Bahrain to offer better port facilities, which will ultimately draw more ships and more tourists to this region."
He said since the launch of the new Dubai Cruise Terminal in February 2010, the DTCM expects a good 30 per cent growth in business compared to last year.
Meanwhile, Costa Cruises alone carried 146,000 passengers to Dubai in the 2009-10 season, and in 2010-11 the number should reach 150,000, according to Pier Luigi Foschi, CEO and Chairman of Costa Cruises. He told this newspaper in a recent interview: "With our four-year-partnership with DTCM, we are boosting our presence in the Gulf by bringing more ships to Dubai. We expect a 40 per cent increase of our guests cruising to Dubai in 2010, with an estimated economic impact of â,¬14 million (Dh68.82m) for the city."
Dubai's position as an up-and-coming cruise destination was reinforced at the World Travel Awards in May last year when Port Rashid Cruise Terminal won the award for Middle East's Leading Cruise Port 2009. Dubai Cruise Terminal is said to be the only cruise terminal in the world operated by a government department of tourism, which means it can provide extra attention to every visitor and enhance the experience including certified tour guides and a swift entry system with no visa issues for visitors, DTCM said.
GLOBAL CRUISE LINERS
With its growing cruise business, Dubai has been successful in attracting a number of esteemed global cruise liners, including the likes of Costa Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Aida Cruises and Sea Cloud Cruise liners.
Laying focus on the emirate's cruise tourism expansion plans, bin Mejren said Dubai has successfully drawn a record number of passengers from Germany, Britain and Italy.
The DTCM's long-term strategy, however, includes targeting emerging markets such as China, India and Brazil. As bin Mejren puts it: "The idea now is to expand on that base and target emerging markets such as China, India and South America, specifically Brazil. It is important to focus on those destinations that have daily flight connections with Dubai, to facilitate the tourists."
While the Hamburg, Germany-based Sea Cloud Cruise liners is close to setting sail for Dubai shores, Italy's Costa Cruises recently set up a regional office in Dubai with an aim of targeting Dubai's growing cruise tourism market.
Florida-based Royal Caribbean International (RCI), too, is currently weighing the possibility of setting up a hub in the emirate. RCI also recently revealed plans to set up a Dubai-Mumbai cruise route next year, as the cruise liner docked the ship, Brilliance of the Seas, in Dubai in January this year.
In addition, Royal Caribbean International announced a joint initiative with entertainment complex Dubailand, a mixed-use theme park, due to begin in time for Brilliance of the Seas' arrival in Dubai. Under the agreement, both parties will work together on strategic marketing and promotional activities to further boost the cruise industry's presence in Dubai.
In a recent survey, approximately 80 per cent of the cruise passengers in Dubai revealed they would extend their visit to the emirate during their next visit and 95 per cent said they would recommend others to visit Dubai to enjoy its all-appealing facilities, pristine beaches and unparalleled shopping options.
Located at the crossroads between east and west, Dubai has the location and the facilities to match; offering the epitome of luxury in a holiday, which truly offers something for everyone.
