Dubai to host Cruise Conference

The future of cruise tourism in the Middle East and the subcontinent will come under the microscope at the third Seatrade Middle East Cruise Conference, to be held in Dubai from February 3-5, at the Grand Hyatt Dubai conference centre.

Organised by Seatrade - the international maritime communications group - the conference will address critical issues impacting the region's cruise tourism sector and examine how to maximise its potential.

"The Gulf, Red Sea and the Indian Ocean together provide something that the industry badly needs, a richly diverse cruising ground for winter deployment as an attractive alternative to the Caribbean," said Christopher Hayman, managing director, Seatrade.

"The region has invested heavily in preparation for cruise tourism. With the fundamentals firmly in place a panel of leading cruise industry experts will analyse the outlook and likely timetable for cruise tourism expansion."

"Dubai has the only dedicated cruise facility in the Arabian Gulf and we are working hard to secure the future of cruise tourism in the region. This conference will be the ideal forum to showcase our facilities and to meet with industry leaders," said Awadh Al Seghayer, who has responsibility for cruise tourism at the DCTM.

The conference will also include a general shipping forum focusing on the potential for the international shipping industry in meeting the region's needs.

Other issues to be addressed include developments in container shipping; safety, security and environmental issues; finance and insurance needs of regional shipping; the pattern of port and terminal development and the area's maritime infrastructure.

The conference and exhibition will be held under the patronage of Sheikh Moh-ammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, UAE Defence Minister and DTCM Chairman.

The principle sponsors of the conference and exhibition are the Dubai Ports Authority, DTCM and Enoc.

The event also has the support of the Dubai Shipping Agents Association and the UAE Nat-ional Ship Supplies Association.