Dubai cruise terminal hosts 2.3m tourists since ’14
dubai — The Hamdan Bin Mohammed Cruise Terminal, the biggest cruise terminal in the world in terms of size and handling capacity, has received over 2.3 million tourists since its inauguration in 2014 and up to the end of 2018.
The terminal has also recorded a milestone leap with a 172 per cent increase in cruise tourist numbers from 2014, according to a top official.
“This is apart from a significant growth of vessels calls from 94 in 2014 to 120 in 2018,” Mohamed Abdulaziz Al Mannaei, executive director, Mina Rashid and CEO of P&O Marinas, said.
In 2015, he said Hamdan Bin Mohammed Cruise Terminal received around 270,000 visitors and these numbers rose to 564,000 and 602,000 in 2016 and 2017, respectively.
“DP World will continue to provide support through the development of infrastructure, terminals and berthing with a length of 1,900 metres, which can accommodate up to seven mega ships at a time carrying more than 18,000 passengers,” added Al Mannaei.
These cruise visitors arriving in one day can be handled smoothly with 70,000 square metres of car parking, which can take up to 36 buses, 150 taxis and sufficient number of private cars, he explained.
“Mina Rashid Cruise Terminals has been recognised as the Middle East’s leading cruise port by the World Travel Awards for 10 consecutive years,” he said.
DP World welcomed five international cruise liners at the Hamdan Bin Mohamed Cruise Terminal 3 carrying 23,317 visitors, he disclosed. The cruise tourist season started with Cruise Vessels Aida Prima with 6,700 visitors, MSC Splendida with 7,918 visitors, MscLirica with 3,860 visitors, Costa Mediterranea with 5,550 visitors and Horizon with 3,700 visitors.
Dubai’s vision is to welcome a million cruise tourists by 2020. This has been confirmed by 10 international companies who have been asked to keep Dubai their main destination for the winter season 2020-2021. This will help arrange 10 international cruises starting from Dubai, he stated.
“A variety of sizes of cruise ships will meet the various budgets. The tourist visa which allows visitors to enter the UAE multiple times has been an important factor in efforts to attract cruise tourists from around the world,” Al Mannaei observed.
Hamad bin Mejren, senior vicepresident, stakeholders, Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, said Dubai is fast becoming a favoured destination among international cruise lines and cruise tourists. “We are dedicated to showcasing the robust growth of the city as an established cruise hub for the wider region.”