Dubailand signs deal with top cruise ship operator

CRUISE DEAL: Dubailand chiefs have signed an agreement with a leading cruise ship operator in a bid to boost tourist numbers to the emirate.

Dubailand, the world's largest entertainment development being built in Dubai, on Monday announced the signing of a deal with cruise ship operator Royal Caribbean in a bid to boost tourist numbers to the emirate.

The memorandum of understanding is expected to provide a substantial boost to the cruise industry and to Dubai as a tourism destination.

The agreement’s goal is to promote the development, growth and commercial success of the two brands through joint marketing and promotional activities in key global source markets.

Royal Caribbean will feature Dubailand’s key live attractions in their shore excursion programmes, while Dubailand will actively promote Royal Caribbean’s Dubai cruises through their global agency network.

From January to April 2010, Royal Caribbean International will introduce seven-night sailings aboard the Brilliance of the Seas from Dubai to an international mix of holidaymakers.

Guests will have ample time to explore Dubai with overnight stays at the beginning and conclusion of the voyage, comapny chiefs said.

Phase one of Dubailand is now open with five live projects - including Dubai Autodrome in MotorCity, Dubai Outlet Mall in Outlet City, The Global Village, Al Sahra Desert Resort and Dubai Sports City, which contains the Ernie Els Golf Club, the Butch Harmon School of Golf and the Cricket Stadium - operational.

Currently the projects receive up to eight million visits annually.

Mohammed Al Habbai, senior vice-president of Dubailand, said: “Our agreement can be recognised as a world-class initiative to add value to the emirate’s economy, increase visitor numbers and enhance the customer experience in Dubai and the region for residents and visitors.

"We are confident the deal will result in creating synergies that will contribute to the growth of regional and international tourism.”

Adam Goldstein, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, added: “The partnership has been entered into at an opportune time as we gear up for the launch of our first Arabian dedicated season, and will help us actively promote our Gulf cruises and land programmes while enhancing the Dubai offering for our mutual customers."

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READERS' COMMENTS

What's up, doc?
Posted by Mark Flap on Thursday 7 May 2009 at 20:04 UAE time


Doc - The Eiffel Tower is a unique landmark that's known around the world. It gets less than 7 million visitors per year, and that's with a population of 60 million.

To suggest that anything in Dubailand would get more visitors than this is ludicrous, even with 4.5 million or so residents of the UAE. People no longer believe the hype Dubai pumps out.

Response to Mark Flap "Impressive"
Posted by Doc, Dubai, UAE on Wednesday 6 May 2009 at 17:58 UAE time


My friend,

Even though it has become a daily hobby for people to criticize each and every thing about Dubai nowadays, I beleive you are gravely mistaken in your comprehension of the information given in the article. The article mentions that the whole of Dubailand receives 8,000,000 visists per year. That # does not mean 8,000,000 tourists!! It means that the total # of visits made by people during the year is 8,000,000. This includes locals and tourists both visiting and it includes repeat visitors (local and tourists) as well.

When Dubai Mall states that they expect to receive 15,000,000 visitors in the first year, they mean total # of visits by local and tourists during the entire year. Now, that # could include some people visiting the mall more than 50 times during the year.

Next time you decide to ridicule everything you read, you should first understand the information and then start your negative and pessimist comments. It is a good thing to be objective.

Impressive
Posted by Mark Flap on Tuesday 5 May 2009 at 19:32 UAE time


Really impressive that Global Village could receive 8 million visitors, which is roughly the total number of visitors to Dubai in a year, when it's only open for a month. Oh wait, they said 'up to 8 million' - so they mean 'less than 8 million', which is not so impressive.

Any update on whether Dubai Mall is on target to achieve 15 million visitors in its first year, as it stated in every single announcement? That's right, 200% of visitors to Dubai will go there...

Inflated numbers as usual
Posted by BH, Dubai, UAE on Tuesday 5 May 2009 at 09:26 UAE time


How can Dubai Autodrome in MotorCity, Dubai Outlet Mall in Outlet City, The Global Village, Al Sahra Desert Resort and Dubai Sports City, which contains the Ernie Els Golf Club, the Butch Harmon School of Golf and the Cricket Stadium receive eight million visitors? In what time period?

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