Oman, Abu Dhabi and Dubai highlight new partnership to boost Gulf cruise tourism

Dubai, UAE; March 11, 2014: The Oman Ministry of Tourism (Oman Tourism), Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) and Dubai's Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) are highlighting their new, joint Cruise Arabia partnership at Cruise Shipping Miami, the cruise industry's leading global event running March 10-13, 2014 in Miami, USA.

With the new Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Oman partnership just three months old, Miami is the international launch pad for its campaign to promote the Arabian Peninsula as a cruise tourism hotspot. Also attending the Cruise Shipping Miami event are 12 other Dubai participants, including Emirates Airline, Dubai Maritime City Authority and DP World in addition to tour operators Arabian Adventures, Sharaf Tours, Alpha Tours, Gulf Ventures, Orient Tours and SNTTA Emir Tours; and shipping agents RHS Group, Gulf Agency Company and Seamaster Maritime.

A number of Omani tour operators and port authority spokespeople are also attending alongside the Oman Ministry of Tourism.

During the World Cruise Tourism summit workshops on 10th March, Hamad bin Mejren, Executive Director, Business Tourism at DTCM, appeared on a panel session focusing on cruise geography and itinerary development and discuss the opportunities for cruise tourism and the development of cruise itineraries within the Gulf region.

Ahead of appearing on the panel, Hamad bin Mejren commented: "Cruise Shipping Miami is the pinnacle of the global cruise industry's calendar and for this reason we are delighted to attend this year's event for the first time as Cruise Arabia, together with our partners from Oman and Abu Dhabi.

"In recent years the Dubai leadership has invested heavily in the development of the cruise sector, resulting in Dubai becoming recognized as a leading cruise hub. By partnering with Abu Dhabi and Oman to encourage a new generation of cruise tourists in the Gulf and to showcase all the region has to offer, we are looking forward to further evolution of this dynamic industry and increasing the number of cruise tourists that disembark at our ports."

Salim Al Mamari, Director General of Tourism Promotion, Oman Ministry of Tourism, said: "Oman, Dubai and Abu Dhabi are emerging cruising destinations in the Middle East with immense potential to give strong competition to established global destinations. In fact, we already offer a highly developed tourism and hospitality infrastructure. New strategic policies and frameworks are currently being developed to help attract more tourists towards our cruise lines and their offerings. There are many aspects that work in Oman's favour such as its rich cultural heritage and history, unique landscape diversity, including mountains and wadis, favorable weather for sailing, clear waters and pristine beaches and strong government support."

Sultan Al Dhaheri, Acting Executive Director Tourism Sector, TCA Abu Dhabi, said: "Collectively, under our new Cruise Arabia approach, Abu Dhabi, Oman and Dubai represent a strong and captivating regional destination that can compete with the world's primary cruise hotspots. Together we present a persuasive case for cruise lines to pro-actively consider the cruise growth potential of the Arabian Gulf and partner us in realising all our business aims.

"Throughout our region there is significant investment, both financial and in terms of human capital, going in to building this sector and the time is right for operators to align with us to reap the benefits of a segment which now has our full and committed attention," Al Dhaheri added.

Cruise Shipping Miami is the leading international exhibition and conference dedicated to the cruise industry, gathering together industry experts, decision makers, buyers and suppliers for a week of networking, sourcing, education and innovation.  More than 11,000 attendees and 900 exhibitors are expected to attend the event this year. 

Promoting the cruise industry within the UAE and the wider region is a key mandate of Dubai Cruise Tourism, in line with the Dubai Government's Tourism Vision for 2020: to double the emirate's annual visitor numbers from 10 million in 2012 to 20 million in 2020.

The current 2013-14 season (which runs from October to June) sees Dubai being the home port of Costa, Aida and Royal Caribbean, and when TUI and MSC return to their traditional home in the Emirate within the next two seasons, Dubai will once again be the home port of five of the world's leading cruise lines. With Dubai government's long-term strategic focus on developing the cruise industry, the aim is to reach 450,000 cruise tourists by 2016, increasing from just over 386,000 in 2013.

The port's proximity to the centre of the city and excellent transportation links means that the attractions of Dubai are within immediate reach of cruise passengers. Investment in new infrastructure combined with guaranteed sunshine and warm weather; must-see attractions such as Burj Khalifa, the Palm Jumeirah, and the Burj Al Arab; the desert and coastline; and the contrast between the ultra-modern skyline and the traditional souqs and heritage areas make Dubai an ideal cruise destination.

About Dubai's Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM)
With the ultimate vision of positioning Dubai as the world's leading tourism destination and commercial hub, Dubai's Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing's (DTCM) mission is to increase the awareness of Dubai to global audiences and to attract tourists and inward investment into the Emirate.

DTCM is the principal authority for the planning, supervision, development and marketing of Dubai's tourism sector; markets and promotes the Emirate's commerce sector; and is responsible for the licensing and classification of all tourism services, including hotels, tour operators and travel agents. Brands and departments within the DTCM portfolio include Dubai Convention and Events Bureau, Dubai Calendar, and Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (formerly known as Dubai Events and Promotions Establishment). In addition to its headquarters in Dubai, DTCM operates 20 offices worldwide.

ABOUT ABU DHABI TOURISM & CULTURE AUTHORITY
Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority conserves and promotes the heritage and culture of Abu Dhabi emirate and leverages them in the development of a world-class, sustainable destination of distinction which enriches the lives of visitors and residents alike. The authority manages the emirate's tourism sector and markets the destination internationally through a wide range of activities aimed at attracting visitors and investment. Its policies, plans and programmes relate to the preservation of heritage and culture, including protecting archaeological and historical sites and to developing museums, including the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. The authority supports intellectual and artistic activities and cultural events to nurture a rich cultural environment and honour the emirate's heritage. A key authority role is to create synergy in the destination's development through close co-ordination with its wide-ranging stakeholder base.

About Oman Tourism:
The Oman Cruise sector marketing strategy aims to promote our destination internationally as a quality Cruise destination. The Ministry's portfolio of marketing activities adds to a wide range of cruise development programs that showcase Oman as a preferred cruise location with different cruise liners and cruise sector tourists. With 3,160 Kms of unspoiled coastline, our cruise marketing focus is to position Oman as a quality destination for an authentic Arabian visitor experience. Culture, heritage, nature and adventure with 3 major cruise hubs: Muscat, Salalah and Khasab.

For more information, please contact:
Suzanne Fenton
ASDA'A Burson-Marsteller
00971 4 450 7672
suzanne.fenton@bm.com

© Press Release 2014