Tourism authorities join hands for third annual roadshow in KSA and Kuwait

Cruise Arabia -the collaborative initiative formed by Oman’s Ministry of Tourism, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) and Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM)to promote the Arabian Gulf as a cruise destination–has embarked onits third annual GCC roadshow with events at the Park Hyatt hotel in Jeddah and the Four Season in Riyadh.

Designed to keep the region’s travel trade professionals up-to-date on the cruise tourism sector and to help drive intraregional cruise tourism, particularly with families, the roadshow is visiting three cities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – Jeddah, Riyadh and Al Khobbar – as well as Kuwait City, Kuwait until 22 October 2014.

The tourism authority partners will meet with hundreds of local tour operators and travel agents over the course of the four-day, four-city roadshow. The Cruise Arabia partners are also joined on the roadshow by representatives from three of the world’s leading cruise companies – Costa, MSC Cruises and Royal Caribbean International.

Hamad Mohammed bin Mejren, Executive Director, Business Tourism at DTCM, said: “This roadshow is designed to help build awareness of cruise tourism, familiarise travel professionals with cruise itineraries in the Arabian Gulf, and ultimately drive an increase in the number of GCC tourists taking voyages by cruise in the region. At present, a significant number of GCC travellers are not fully aware of the many attractions of cruise holidays, which include perks such as free travel and accommodation for children, stunning on-board amenities and entertainment, and outstanding itineraries which range from just a few days to several weeks. This roadshow – now in its third year – helps to educate and inform travel trade professionals, so that they in turn can educate and inform their customers.

“Earlier this year, the new multi-entry UAE visit visa for cruise tourists that was announced. At just 200 dirhams (c.US$50) this makes it easier than ever for expatriate families living in the region, as well as overseas visitors, to cruise in the Arabian Gulf. We expect this to further contribute to the growth of cruise travel. Our forecasts for this year are already up – in Dubai we will welcome a total of 110 ship calls carrying around 381,500 passengers in comparison to 93 ship calls carrying 320,000 passengers last year.”

Sultan Al Dhaheri, Acting Executive Director Tourism, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authoritysaid: “We are taking the cruise industry’s expanding Arabian Gulf cruise itineraries to the GCC market to raise awareness and demand for this exciting product. Cruise ships these days offer a level of luxury and family entertainment which will suit the regional consumer, whether national or expatriate. Our rationale is simple – the more demand we create, the more ourcruise partners will expand their offering. Everyone wins.”

Khalid Al Zadjali, Director of Tourism Events, Oman Ministry of Tourism, said: “We are excited to be a part of Cruise Arabia’s series of road shows, which aim to position the Arabian Gulf as a premier cruise destination. Oman, in particular, has become a highly-preferred tourist attraction for tourists and visitors coming to the Middle East region and is widely attributed to the country’s year-long tourism season. In fact, Oman has also started to position itself as a choice destination for cruises. In 2013, a total of over 177,000 cruise passengers visited the Sultanate, which reflects the country’s continuing increase in cruise ship activity via its three main ports; Khasab Port, Salalah Port and Muscat Port. Oman is a country with a rich culture and heritage accompanied with attractive spots like pristine beaches, traditional souks, castles and fortresses, natural wilderness and adventure experiences that make it a must see cruise destination of choice and an ideal pre- and post-touring location, which is the main reason why it was able to attract over 2.1 million tourists last year.”

Formed in September 2013 with a shared aim to grow and evolve the cruise tourism segment, the Cruise Arabia partners have committed to making a significant investment to the cruise industry across the region, developing its segment infrastructure and creating current and future employment opportunities. A key aim of the partnership is to encourage a new generation of tourists to cruise in the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, spanning new travellers from traditional markets in Europe and North America as well as those from emerging markets including China, India and the GCC.

About Cruise Arabia

Cruise Arabia is a collaborative initiative formed by Oman’s Ministry of Tourism, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority and Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing. Established in 2013, the three agencies are now working together to transform the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman into a leading cruise destination globally, in partnership with leaders in the cruise industry.

About Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM)

With the ultimate vision of positioning Dubai as the world’s leading tourism destination and commercial hub, Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing’s (DTCM) mission is to increase the awareness of Dubai to global audiences and to attract tourists and inward investment into the Emirate.

DTCM is the principal authority for the planning, supervision, development and marketing of Dubai’s tourism sector; markets and promotes the Emirate’s commerce sector; and is responsible for the licensing and classification of all tourism services, including hotels, tour operators and travel agents. Brands and departments within the DTCM portfolio include Dubai Convention and Events Bureau, Dubai Calendar, and Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (formerly known as Dubai Events and Promotions Establishment). In addition to its headquarters in Dubai, DTCM operates 20 offices worldwide.

About Dubai Cruise Tourism

Dubai Cruise Tourism is part of the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, and was established at the end of 1990s to position Dubai as a leading destination for cruise tourism and to maintain the Emirate’s current position as the cruise hub of the MENA region. Dubai Cruise Tourism has pioneered the development of the region as one of the world’s leading cruise tourism destinations and is working to further develop cruise tourism in the emirate and increase the number of cruise travellers as part of the Dubai Tourism Vision for 2020.

The current 2013-14 cruise season (which runs from October to June) sees Dubai being the home port of Costa, Aida and Royal Caribbean, and when TUI and MSC return to their traditional home in the Emirate within the next two seasons, Dubai will once again be the home port of five of the world’s leading cruise lines. With Dubai government’s long-term strategic focus on developing the cruise industry, the aim is to reach 450,000 cruise tourists by 2016, increasing from just over 386,000 in 2013.

Rashid Port’s proximity to the centre of the city and excellent transportation links means that the attractions of Dubai are within immediate reach of cruise passengers. Investment in new infrastructure combined with guaranteed sunshine and warm weather; must-see attractions such as Burj Khalifa, the Palm Jumeirah, and the Burj Al Arab; the desert and coastline; and the contrast between the ultra-modern skyline and the traditional souqs and heritage areas make Dubai an ideal cruise destination. For more information visit ct.dubaitourism.ae/www.dubaitourism.ae

About Abu Dhabi Culture and Tourism Authority

Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority conserves and promotes the heritage and culture of Abu Dhabi emirate and leverages them in the development of a world-class, sustainable destination of distinction which enriches the lives of visitors and residents alike. The authority manages the emirate’s tourism sector and markets the destination internationally through a wide range of activities aimed at attracting visitors and investment. Its policies, plans and programmes relate to the preservation of heritage and culture, including protecting archaeological and historical sites and to developing museums, including the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. The authority supports intellectual and artistic activities and cultural events to nurture a rich cultural environment and honour the emirate’s heritage. A key authority role is to create synergy in the destination’s development through close co-ordination with its wide-ranging stakeholder base.

About Oman Tourism:

The Oman Cruise sector marketing strategy aims to promote our destination internationally as a quality Cruise destination. The Ministry’s portfolio of marketing activities adds to a wide range of cruise development programs that showcase Oman as a preferred cruise location with different cruise liners and cruise sector tourists. With 3,160Kms of unspoiled coastline, our cruise marketing focus is to position Oman as a quality destination for an authentic Arabian visitor experience. Culture, heritage, nature and adventure with 3 major cruise hubs: Muscat, Salalah and Khasab.