Cruise tourism set for a boost this winter

Regional cruise tourism in the Gulf is regaining its lost ground this winter following September 11, said industry officials.

Many cruise ships had cancelled their voyage to Dubai last winter following September 11.

Globally, cruise industry suffered heavily due to fear among passengers. However, due to quick response by the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) and Dubai's tourism industry in general, the emirate had began to receive visitors soon.

By the end of last cruise season, a couple of ships called on Dubai Cruise Terminal bringing in hundreds of cruise passengers.

Outlook for the forthcoming cruise season, which generally begins in October and continues till April, is much brighter than previously thought.

Besides a good number of confirmed calls, the season will also witness the biennelle Seatrade Maritime and Cruise Conference early next year which will examine the region's cruise potential and address issues relating to its growth.

DTCM is participating in all the major cruise and tourism events taking place this year and early next year, in which it is highlighting Dubai's attraction along with the travel tourism organisation.

Next month, DTCM is participating, along with other co-participants including Emirates, Gulf Agency Co. (GAC) at Europe's leading tourism and cruise exhibition to be held in Genoa, Italy, where Dubai's cruise tourism and attractions will be highlighted.

"Based on the confirmed voyages and ongoing negotiations with major cruise ship operators, I would say that the outlook for cruise tourism in the coming winter is very bright.

"We are continiously negotiating with various ship operators who are considering voyages in the next few months," said Sashi Nair, shipping manager of GAC, a major sponsor for next year's Maritime and Cruise Conference.

"We have confirmed booking of a number of cruise calls this season. On December 13, Minerva will make its first call of the season, followed by the second call a week later.

"MV Astor will dock Dubai Cruise Terminal, probably the first call of 2003 on January 11, followed by Berlin which will bring in passengers on March 8.

"Silver Winter will dock Dubai a week later on March 15, followed by Aurora on March 22 while Silver Winter make its second call a day later. In April Deutschland will call on Dubai bringing in passengers from different destinations.

"So, we have quite a busy schedule this winter and I am sure, there will be more in the coming months as the interest level among the ship operators is quite high. We even have requests coming in from various ships to position them here in Dubai for short cruises," he added.

Barber Dubai Shipping Agencies Co. (Barwil), which handles Cunard and Royal Carribbean, also reported some confirmed calls.

"Both Cunard and Royal Carribbean have confirmed voyages this winter and we are confident of having more voyages as the industry is on the verge of recovering from September 11," said Captain Marinus van der Zande, managing director of Barwil UAE.

"We are definitely going to have a busier cruise season this winter."