A single Gulf-wide visa for tourists is necessary to spearhead the growth of cross-border tourism, it was said yesterday. At a regional cruise conference here, industry leaders called for a coordinated effort by the Gulf countries to ease visa regulations.

They were discussing the problems and prospects of the region's cruise industry at the inaugural session of the three-day Seatrade Middle East Cruise Conference sponsored by the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM).

Most speakers singled out the lack of what they called a "Gulf visa" for easy movement among the Gulf states, and the high cost of air fares to regional destinations.

Heiko Jensen, General Manager of Festival Kreuzfahrten, said, "The region now boasts more than 250 hotels, and almost 90 airlines link the Gulf region with the rest of the world. The Gulf now ranks as one of the world's top holiday destinations.

"Located halfway between Europe and the Far East, the Dubai Cruise Terminal is an ideal port of call for cruise ships from all over the globe.

"Given the large number of new ships entering the market and the constant search for new destinations, Dubai could become a credible alternative to overcrowded destinations elsewhere in the world.

Jensen and others said the region could be come an alternative to the Caribbean. "It is not an exaggeration to see this region as an alternative to the Caribbean, especially for European passengers."

The number of tourists worldwide in 1999 was 656 million, and cruise tourists make up only 1.5 per cent of this, totalling 9.8 million, of which seven million came from the United States. Around 1.8 million cruise tourists came from Europe.

In coparison the situation in the Gulf was not very encouraging. The number of visitors to this area in 1999 was 5.5 million and the number of cruise tourists was 32,000, or 0.6 per cent of the world market. The number of calls in the same period was 68 for the Gulf, in which Dubai took the lead.

Jaswant Lalwani, CEO of Ocean Cruise Line, said, "Though Dubai offers an excellent tourism infrastructure to both business and leisure travellers, it also needs to accelerate the growth of cross-border tourism among its neighbouring states.

"Besides the high price of airfares among the regional destinations, procedural delays in obtaining a visa remain a major obstacle. I think the tourism authorities of the Gulf countries should take a regional approach in overcoming this problem which also affects the growth of cross-border tourism to a certain extent."

Khamis bin Hareb, DTCM's Director of Operations, said discussions on a common regional visa have been going on for a long time. "This is not new and it will happen some day. We are working closely with the tourism authorities of other GCC countries in simplifying the regulations.

"If things work out nicely, a common visa for the Gulf countries might become a reality within the next three or four years, at least for the cruise tourists."

George Michaelides, General Manager for Marketing of Louis Cruise Lines, suggested the formation of a regional body to enhance cooperation among the Gulf countries.

"If the countries in the region wish to benefit from cruising they should submerge their interests into a cooperative marketing effort. We have a clear case for cooperative development in order to entice, invite and educate cruise lines that cruising in the region is worthwhile.

"I also suggest that the formation of a Gulf Cruise Association is a necessity in order to promote the tourist attractions and ports of the region."

Charles Heath, DTCM Director of Projects, echoed this by saying: "A port does not make a destination, but a region does. We are closely working with the other Gulf countries to develop the infrastructure for cruise tourism."