Abu Dhabi looks to develop sustainable cruise tourism
Friday, 28 Feb, 2010
0
Sheikh Sultan and Mubarak Al Muhairi with Costa Cruises senior management onboard the state-of-the-art Costa Deliziosa.
The cruise tourism industry could deliver a substantial economic impact annually for Abu Dhabi, according to a dedicated market study commissioned by Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA).
The study says Abu Dhabi stands to benefit from the creation of full-time jobs, hotel room nights from pre ad post-cruise stays, increased business for airlines serving the destination and more land tours, which will spread consumer spending to the emirate’s historic city of Al Ain and its Al Gharbia western region.
The study says maximum potential will be realised through the development of a dedicated cruise terminal and Abu Dhabi’s evolution into a fully-fledged home port with the potential to deliver at least 50,000 new visitors to the emirate annually.
"There are substantial gains to be accrued from the evolution of Abu Dhabi from its existing ‘port of call’ to ‘home port’ status. These include incremental increases in hotel guest stays, in-destination spending by both guests and crew, the opportunity to deliver a richer destination experience to cruise liner guests who fall into our high-end visitor target and to further engage with them with a view to prompting return visits," said His Highness Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chairman, ADTA.
The study’s findings were released as Sheikh Sultan and ADTA Director General, His Excellency Mubarak Al Muhairi held talks with cruise industry heavyweights Pier Foschi, the CEO of Costa Crociere, Europe’s leading cruise operator and the company’s President Giovanni Onorato. The two cruise industry leaders were in the UAE capital for the maiden sailing into Mina Zayed of their flagship Costa Delicioza liner – one of the most advanced vessels afloat.
The two delegations met to discuss Abu Dhabi’s future cruise industry potential, and the study’s findings.
"ADTA is now looking to actively engage key stakeholders including the Department of Transport, Abu Dhabi Terminals and Abu Dhabi Airports Company in the development of a sustainable cruise tourism development blueprint," said Sheikh Sultan. "There has been heightened interest among major cruise lines with respect to Abu Dhabi’s cruise development as evidenced by an all-time high of about 150 ships calling at Mina Zayed this current cruise season."
Sheikh Sultan yesterday toured the Costa Deliziosa, which will be calling at Mina Zayed nine times this season as part of Costa Cruises’ new Jewels of the Emirates itinerary.
"This is a truly luxurious vessel – in many ways a work of art – and its guests are very much the correct target audience for Abu Dhabi," said Sheikh Sultan. "We look forward to welcoming Costa Deliziosa and its guests throughout the remainder of this season and building a long and mutually beneficial business relationship."
Valere Tjolle
Valere Tjolle is editor of the 2010 Sustainable Tourism Report Suite details at:www.travelmole.com/stories/1141006.php
Valere
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Clearing CSS/JS assets' cache... Please wait until this notice disappears...
Updating... Please wait...
France prepares for a massive strike across all transports on September 18
Turkish tourism stalls due to soaring prices for accommodation and food
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt