(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Abu Dhabi unveiled the design of its new Cruise terminal building which gives modern as well as traditional look taking inspiration from the Ghaf, UAE's national tree, while its roof has taken cues from a traditional dhow.
Traditional Arabic ornaments, colours, and shapes combined with modern architectural elements define the new building's distinctive style which celebrates the UAE's cultural heritage and pays tribute to its long maritime history.
A particular eye-catcher is the building's roof design which is a lattice-work, taking the UAE's national tree - the Ghaf as inspiration. Wooden beams inside the building take inspiration from the UAE's traditional dhow sailing vessels.
The design was unveiled by Abu Dhabi Ports Company and Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) exhibited the design at the Sea trade Med 2014 in Barcelona, Spain.
Covering 8,000 sqm, the new building will include all key passenger facilities, as well as a mezzanine level with souvenir shops, restaurants, office facilities and waiting areas for cruise staff. It will feature tourist information services and passport border control counters to ensure that the customs process is smooth and timely.
Ground clearance work for the new terminal, which will be capable of handling three cruise vessels simultaneously, has already begun with a completion timetable anticipated at 2016.
Earlier this year, the UAE announced a new multiple entry visa which will make tourist travel between the UAE and neighbouring countries significantly easier. The new multi-entry visa had been on cruise lines 'wish-list' for some time as it will help the logistics when planning itineraries around the Gulf region.
"ADPC and its partners TCA Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Oman established 'Cruise Arabia' at the end of 2013, as an initiative which promotes the Gulf region as an attractive tourist destination and brings the partners together to combine forces to make the cruising experience for tourists and cruise staff as comfortable as possible.
"Our investment in a larger higher quality cruise terminal building recognises the fact that Abu Dhabi now features on a growing number of itineraries," says Capt Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, CEO of ADPC.
In addition to state-of-the-art cruise facilities and comprehensive infrastructure, ADPC recently introduced a loyalty programme for cruise vessels calling at Zayed Port. The programme includes special home porting conditions and further incentives, making the stay for cruise liners at Zayed Port even more attractive.
Abu Dhabi's cruise passenger arrivals have increased five-fold since the sector began in the emirate in 2007 with anticipated arrivals this season reaching 200,000 passengers from 95 vessel calls.
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