(MENAFN-Khaleej Times) will play key role in dubai tourism; royal carribean back in winter
The cruise sector will play an increasingly important role in dubai’s tourism industry in the future and the arrival of cruise tourists in the emirate is expected to jump by 16 per cent to 450000 in 2016 compared to 386000 in 2013.
Hamad m. bin mejren and other officials at the news conference in dubai on sunday. — supplied photo
This was disclosed during a news conference in dubai on sunday that was held to announce the return of the largest global cruise line royal caribbean international to the gulf in winter 2015-16.
“we expect a huge growth in coming years and looking forward 400000 cruise tourists this year” hamad m. bin mejren executive director for business tourism at the dubai department of tourism and commerce marketing or dtcm told khaleej times on the sidelines of the news conference. in dubai the cruise season starts from october to may.
Royal caribbean international’s splendour of the seas is scheduled to dock in its home port of dubai uae followed by calls to oman’s capital of muscat and khasab along with abu dhabi.
The fifth seasonal sailings will comprise 16 round-trip sailings from december 2015 through march 2016 visiting some of the arabian coast’s most-intriguing destinations on a seven-night itinerary.
It will add more than 32000 guests in her first four-month season to the region’s burgeoning cruise sector and the new sailings will be going on sale on april 10. all the gulf region’s ports are gearing themselves up for the arrival of splendour of the seas.
“we are pleased to announce our return to cruising in the arabian gulf for the winter of 2015-16. we are looking forward to deploying the splendour of the seas to the region for the first time and to welcoming guests from all over the world. this is a welcome step in continuing to promote the economic and touristic benefits of cruising and i’m sure the season will be very successful” said helen beck regional director of emea international representatives at royal caribbean international.
Bin mejren said: “we are absolutely delighted to welcome royal caribbean international back to the gulf with dubai as its home port for the 2015-16 season. the return of royal caribbean comes at an opportune time with dubai’s dtcm oman’s ministry of tourism and abu dhabi tourism & culture authority all working together to transform the gulf into a leading cruise destination globally.”
Khalid al zadjali director of tourism events at the oman ministry of tourism said: “we are delighted to learn that the luxurious royal caribbean international cruises will be returning to the region. there are numerous activities to enjoy in our country and limitless places to visit including muscat and khasab which will be included in the itinerary of the cruises.”
Oman provides a 48-hour free visa-on-arrival to all cruise tourists irrespective of their nationalities al zadjali told this scribe.
Sultan al dhaheri acting executive director for tourism at the abu dhabi tourism & culture authority said: “our collaborative approach with dubai and oman partners to developing the viability and appeal of arabian gulf cruising has clearly struck a chord with a recognised cruise sector innovator and abu dhabi will benefit from royal caribbean international’s return to the region.”
— abdulbasit?khaleejtimes.com
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