By
Rebecca Gibson |
Seatrade Middle East Cruise Convention concluded last week, with a message throughout of rising confidence in the region’s potential for cruise growth.
A range of senior executives from across the industry – including 14 global cruise lines, port and travel authorities – met to discuss the challenges and opportunities that are currently available in the sector – reinforcing the industry’s belief that winter cruising schedules will be naturally suited to the area.
The three-day event, which was hosted at the Meydan hotel in Dubai, was moderated by Seatrade chairman Chris Hayman, who applauded how the far the sector has come since the first conference in 1999.
“Dubai has to be admired for its ambitions and achievements in reaching out to the cruise industry,” he said. “From just 17 cruise line calls in 2001, this year the city will host 120 calls and 425,000 passengers.
“In order to further grow that business, our agenda at the convention has been to address how the whole region can grow as a cruise destination - by adding new ports of call, new shore excursions, expanding port infrastructure, sourcing new markets both locally and regionally, and smoothing visa issues.”
The event was also attended by TUI, which will start winter hub operations from Dubai in 2012, as well as MSC, whose ship, MSC Lirica, will arrive in Dubai on Friday 28 October en route to Abu Dhabi, where it will homeport for the winter for the first time.