The cruise sector of the shipping industry continues to grow, as the
popularity of cruising holidays increases in the Gulf region and
expects to handle 400,000 passengers by 2010.
The Middle East as a source market for outbound cruises has seen
significant growth in the past decade, and more ships coming in to
Dubai offers an opportunity for the trade to touch and feel the product
with ship inspection trips, say cruise industry experts.
The sixth Seatrade Middle East Maritime (SMEM) Cruise Conference,
the region’s premier maritime forum, which takes place at the Dubai
International Convention and Exhibition Centre on December14-16, has
attracted top-flight delegation of international, regional and local
cruise executives.
During the conference delegates will investigate the potential to
homeport in the Gulf, interest in cruising as a vacation is expected to
benefit too from the focus at SMEM, according to a Press release.
“Agent training programmes at SMEM will also help boost this sector
enabling them to understand the many different cruise brands from Costa
to Princess or Regent Seven Seas, for instance – and then pass this
knowledge on to the customer.”
The Seatrade Middle East Maritime exhibition and conference is held
every two years and has evolved into one of the world’s fastest-growing
maritime events and now ranks among the industry’s top 10 largest.
In 2006 the event was the biggest, with record attendance of 6,000
trade participants from 63 countries – 45 per cent from outside the
region.
In 2008, participation is expected to increase by 30 per cent.
Interest by several other cruise lines too has prompted Dubai to
announce a new cruise terminal development based in Port Rashid, as
part of the major Nakheel waterfront project there that will be
fast-tracked to accommodate the new business at the port. Overall, more
than 82 ships are scheduled to visit Dubai in 2009. A figure that
should be significantly increased by the 2010 cruise season and its new
entrants to the market. The growth in the cruise sector comes about
with better port infrastructure around the Gulf with tourist enjoying
an opportunity to more land excursions and with the increased
hospitality developments.
