Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Bahrain, and Oman strategically partner to boost cruise tourism in the region.
- The Cruise Arabia initiative highlights the area’s appeal as a premier destination for cruise travellers.
- Abu Dhabi handled over 700,000 cruise visitors in the 2022-23 season with enhanced facilities.
- The collaboration includes an extended promotional agreement with Hotelbeds to attract more visitors.
- These efforts reflect the Gulf states’ commitment to showcasing their cultural heritage while advancing tourism.
In an ambitious move to enhance their tourism sectors, four pivotal Gulf states—Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Bahrain, and Oman—have formed a strategic alliance aimed at increasing cruise ship calls in the region. This collaboration operates under the Cruise Arabia initiative, striving to position these locales as leading destinations for cruise tourism, an industry with enormous potential for growth.
The initiative comes as the Gulf states unequivocally assert their appeal to cruise travellers worldwide. With cutting-edge infrastructure like Abu Dhabi’s advanced cruise terminal, which catered to more than 700,000 visitors during the 2022-23 season, the region underscores its capacity and readiness for increased tourism. Moreover, the terminal at Sir Bani Yas Island, enhanced with a new jetty, has notably doubled its passenger capacity and fine-tuned its disembarkation processes.
Saleh Mohammed Al Geziry, the Director General of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, encapsulates the collaborative spirit, stating, ‘We are collectively committed to championing cruise tourism reflecting our firm belief in the power of partnerships.’ This sentiment underscores the initiative’s foundational ethos: leveraging partnerships to bolster the tourism landscape, thus harmonising the drive for economic enrichment with the preservation of cultural identity.
As part of this initiative, Abu Dhabi has furthered its promotional agreement with Hotelbeds, entering its third extension. This agreement aims to increase the visibility and appeal of the emirate among travel agents through targeted campaigns, reinforcing the region’s dedication to offering unique attractions and experiences to cruise tourists.
These collaborative efforts are not merely about enhancing immediate tourism numbers but are a testament to the Gulf states’ forward-thinking approach. By combining state-of-the-art facilities, strategic partnerships, and a commitment to cultural preservation, these nations are setting a benchmark in tourism, adequately preparing themselves to accommodate and enchant an ever-growing number of international visitors.
The collaboration of Gulf states under Cruise Arabia exemplifies a unified commitment to enriching tourism while celebrating cultural heritage.
