Infrastructure
in cruise tourists, while
ambitious projects are
being implemented
to upgrade port
infrastructure. The
leading position of the
UAE as a destination
of choice for maritime
tourism will encourage
international companies
to manage their
operations and conduct
cruises through our local
ports.” opened to cruise ships,
becoming the only beach
stop in the Gulf region.
More efforts are being
undertaken to further
develop, expand and
modernize local marine
tourism facilities. Fruitful
strategic partnerships
with cruise lines continue
to be signed to drive
the growth of the cruise
sector in the years to
come.
The Emirate of Abu Dhabi
has emerged as a major
destination for marine
tourism. Port Zayed hosts
the Abu Dhabi Cruise
Terminal, a state-of-the-
art terminal renowned
throughout the region
and an ideal port of call
for passengers traveling
by sea to Abu Dhabi. The
emirate is also home to
various leading cruise
operators. Abu Dhabi
has launched a series of
initiatives to develop its
marine tourism sector
which forms one of the
pillars of its economic
diversification strategy.
At the end of last year,
Sir Bani Yas Island in the
Western Region was Dubai, on the other
hand, saw its maritime
tourists and cruises
increase significantly
by 15 and 18 per cent,
respectively, from 2016
to 2017. The emirate
is home to the Middle
East’s largest and most
modern cruise facility
which covers 36,500
sqm and extends at a
distance of 2,200 m. The
maritime tourism sector
supports the growth of
the local tourism sector
in line with the ‘Dubai
Tourism Vision 2020’ plan.
Mina Rashid currently
welcomes around
650,000 passengers, and
is expected to attract a
million tourists by
22
September 2017
2020. The inauguration
of two new cruise lines,
‘Norwegian Cruise Line’
and ‘Thomson Cruises,’
will support an 18 per
cent increase in the
number of cruises in
Dubai. The emirate
presently hosts more than
23 leading international
cruise lines, six of which
are based in Dubai,
reinforcing its position
as a global destination of
choice for cruise tourism.
The other emirates are
similarly working to
drive maritime tourism
as part of continuing
efforts to cement the
UAE’s leading position in
the global ports industry.
Many ambitious projects
are being implemented
to develop related
infrastructure and
services to encourage
leading cruise lines to
conduct their operations
from the UAE.
The UAE is competing
with 12 other countries
for 10 available seats for
Category B membership
in the IMO to add value to
global transport, trade,