Tuesday, Dec 13, 2016

Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi’s cruise tourism sector is expected to grow at a rate of 10.5 per cent annually, attracting 450,000 cruise passengers by 2020, and over 808,000 passengers in 2025.

The figures mark a jump from the 250,000 cruise passengers expected in Abu Dhabi during this season running up to June 2017.

According to a report by Oxford Economics that was commissioned by Abu Dhabi’s Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA), Abu Dhabi Ports, and Etihad Airways, total direct spending from the cruise sector will reach Dh417 million by 2020.

This is a 71 per cent increase from the Dh244 million spent in 2015, with the figure expected to reach Dh745 million by 2025.

The growth in cruise tourism comes in contrast to a slowdown in the broader hospitality market, with hotels in Abu Dhabi and Dubai facing challenges on the back of lower demand and lower consumer spending. The drop in spending is exacerbated by the strength in the US dollar, to which the UAE dirham is pegged.

However, the currency fluctuations have not impacted cruise tourism in Abu Dhabi, with European markets topping the list in terms of passenger numbers.

Saeed Al Daheri, cruise development and city tour manager at Abu Dhabi’s TCA, said Europe accounts for 39 per cent of passengers arriving at Abu Dhabi’s ports, with Germany topping the list in Europe.

Asked about tapping new source markets, he said, “We’re heading to China and India, and those two are our priorities for the coming years. We’ve already started conducting roadshows there to promote Abu Dhabi, so we’ve been to three cities in India, and three cities in China, and we plan to take part in events there for further promotional campaigns.”

Al Daheri was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Seatrade Middle East Cruise Forum, which kicked off on Tuesday in Abu Dhabi to discuss growing opportunities in cruise tourism.

The forum comes as part of efforts by Abu Dhabi’s tourism board and other tourism stakeholders to boost tourism in the emirate by diversifying the product offerings.

Earlier this year, the TCA said it was aiming to leverage developments such as the new cruise terminal at Zayed Port, as well as capitalise on the pull of archaeological sites in Al Ain.

By Sarah Diaa Staff Reporter

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