Cruise port expansion plans on the anvil

The recently concluded Seatrade Middle East Cruise Forum witnessed Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Qatar, Oman and Ras Al Khaimah all highlight the need for port expansion plans that would enable the region to grow its share of the lucrative cruise market. Abu Dhabi disclosed plans for its cruise terminal at Mina Zayed. The concept design for which will be announced in Q1 2014. Once finished, the permanent port will have capacity for three to four cruise ships at one time. Elaborating on plans for Qatar, HE Issa Al Mohannadi, chairman, Qatar Tourism Authority said Qatar’s cruise ambitions is to attract seven million visitors annually by 2030. He further stated that commercial port activities would be relocated to a new site outside of the capital Doha in 2016, at which time the existing facility would be redeveloped with increased draught to 12 metres to act as a dedicated cruise tourism port. Port development also features in Oman’s tourism strategy. Salim Al Mamari, director general of tourism development at the Ministry of Tourism confirmed that Sultan Qaboos port would cease to cater for cargo vessels from August 2014. There will be a redevelopment covering three new cruise berths, ferry and marina berths, hotels, souks, restaurants and other tourism facilities. Expansion is also planned for Salalah with a separate cruise terminal, while Khasab port in Musandam in the north was being re-designed with additional facilities for cruise ships. Dubai is also pushing ahead with a new terminal, according to Hamad bin Mejren, executive director of business tourism at Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DTCM), Government of Dubai. He said the new facility at Mina Rashid would be operational in the first quarter of 2014 and would be four times the size of the current terminal. Finally, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Investment & Development Authority’s director, Khalid Motik, said the Emirate is keen to learn more from the cruise line representatives on their requirements for additional ports of call in the region, revealing that a cruise facility at Mina Saqr was planned for launch by 2016- 17. Both assistant under-secretary of Bahrain, HE Shaikh Khalid bin Humood Al Khalifa and Khalid Jasem Al Midfa, director general of Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) supported the formation of a regional committee. The committee will meet regularly to discuss issues including creation of diverse shorex itineraries as well as liaison with both cruise companies and potential passengers. Source: Travel Daily