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DUBAI:
THE WORLD'S MOST- PROMISING CRUISE DESTINATION
 Long
established as an excellent maritime city with
geographical advantages, excellent infrastructural
facilities, ports and logistics, Dubai started
looking at developing cruise tourism very lately
compared with other destinations. However, the
emirate utilized its relatively late entry into
cruise tourism sector to its advantage by creating
better facilities and services than others in the
near and farr. The Dubai Department of Tourism and
Commerce Marketing (DTCM) see Dubai benefiting
immensely from the cruise industry in the coming
years.
Operated by the DTCM, the Dubai
Cruise Terminal was officially inaugurated by His
Highness General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al
Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, UAE Defense
Minister and Chairman of the DTCM on 26th March
2001 at the state-of-the-art Port Rashid
complex.
Earlier, the department operated
a temporary cruise terminal since October 1999.
Dubai began to tap the potential of this dynamic
sector in the mid-1990s.
It set up a division in the DTCM
in 1997 to spearhead the growth in cruise tourism.
The only obstacle, however, was the lack of a
dedicated cruise terminal.
The ship-shaped building is
located on a 335-metre quay offering the capacity
to berth two ships simultaneously, while the
terminal itself is around 3,300 square meters in
size.
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.
Mr. Khalid A bin Sulayem,
Director General of Dubai Department of Tourism and
Commerce Marketing (DTCM), said: "Cruise tourism
plays a crucial role in the overall growth and
development of the tourism industry in Dubai. We
realized its importance long ago and created the
infrastructure and services that were needed to tap
its potential."
He added: "There has been an
impressive growth in cruise tourist arrivals since
the start of the Dubai Cruise Terminal. We will
continue to devote our efforts to further promote
this economically-crucial sector of the tourism
industry."
Dubai emerged formally on the
world cruise map in 1993 when it welcomed a cruise
ship with 703 passengers on board. Cruise ships
with 10,000 passengers were scheduled to visit
Dubai this year.
Mr. bin Sulayem said the bulk of
the cruise tourists come from the UK, Germany and
the US markets.
In a survey, 80 per cent of the
cruise passengers in Dubai revealed that 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.
Mr. bin Sulayem said Dubai leads
the Middle East in the cruise ship passenger
exchange during their itineraries.
Dubai is considered as the home
to one of the best cruise terminals and its
world-class facility received global recognition
when it won the best cruise terminal prize in a
trade show in Miami in the US.
From a mere eight calls by
cruise liners in 1996, the landmark facility played
host to 12,771 cruise tourists between 2001 and
2003.
Cruise tourists from across the
world are expected to be around 12,000 in 2005, up
from an approximately 8,000 visitors in
2004.
As many as 15 cruise ships are
scheduled to arrive in Dubai in 2005. The emirate
is hopeful about the year 2005 witnessing over 33 %
growth in cruise passengers compared with the
previous year.
Mr. Awadh Al Seghayer, Acting
Manager of the Dubai Cruise Terminal, said: "We
started the New Year on an aggressive note and the
arrival of the cruise ships from different parts of
the world is expected to enhance our image of an
ideal year-round business and leisure destination.
The department's aggressive promotional agenda is
helping the world get enlightened about Dubai's
cruise tourism."
He added: "Dubai has a rich
maritime history and is undergoing rapid
developments and expansion. This exhibition allows
the world to explore the facilities and services
that have made the emirate a sought-after place for
business."
The
facilities available at the cruise terminal
are
Information
Centre
Café
Internet Access Business
Centre
VIP Reception
Area
Prayer Room
Heritage and Cultural
Display
Extended Duty
Free
Post Office
Bank
Rental Unit for the Private
Sector (Banks, Rent-A-Car, Hotels,
Malls)
Immigration, Customs &
Security Offices
Semi-Automated Baggage
Handling System
Public Taxi
Stand
Relaxation
Area
Home Entertainment
System
All the facilities are
handicap-friendly
AVERAGE DAYS
IN PORT
1.02 days
1.23 days
2.05 days
2.47 days
2002 1.5 days
2003 1.8 day
For further information, please
contact:
*Mohammed Abdul Mannan,
Executive, Media Relations
Email: mmannan@dubaitourism.ae
*Shilpi Pillai, Officer, Media Relations
Email: spillai@dubaitourism.ae
Dubai Department of Tourism and
Commerce Marketing
P.O. Box 594, Dubai - United Arab Emirates
Tel: +9714 2230000 Fax: +9714 2230022
Web sites
http://www.dubaitourism.ae
http://www.uae-pages.com/tourism/entering-dubai.html
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