The concept design of Abu Dhabi’s planned permanent cruise passenger terminal is to be unveiled later this month at Europe’s most prestigious cruise event.
The model is being showcased by Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC) at Seatrade Med 2014, which runs from September 16-18 in Barcelona, Spain
Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, CEO, ADPC, and Sultan Al Mutawa Al Dhaheri, acting executive director tourism, TCA Abu Dhabi, will reveal plans for Abu Dhabi’s new Zayed Port cruise passenger terminal and outline a number of initiatives which are expected to boost the emirate’s cruise appeal.
ADPC and TCA Abu Dhabi will present the new building concept, which was chosen following an international design competition, with the help of a scale model and a video ‘fly-through’.
Ground clearance for construction of the terminal is underway, a statement said.
Al Shamisi: “This is the first time ADPC has promoted Cruise Abu Dhabi at an international event, all of the top cruise lines will be represented, along with thousands of people from the wider travel industry.
“This exhibition will be a good opportunity to mix with key decision makers, our new terminal plans are already attracting a lot of attention, demonstrating how very serious we are about developing this important market for the emirate.”
Abu Dhabi’s cruise ambitions have also been boosted recently following new visa regulation moves which includes an AED200 ($55) multi-entry cruise visa for the UAE.
“The new visa fee makes it much more affordable for operators to promote Arabian itineraries, of which Abu Dhabi is a key stopover,” said Al Dhaheri. “It is being well received by the industry and we will shortly assist operators further with the inclusion of a dedicated cruise promotion sector on our www.visitabudhabi.ae destination portal.”
Abu Dhabi is now working with Dubai and Oman in a ‘Cruise Arabia’ alliance to build the region’s international cruise appeal.
The 2013/2014 cruise season which ran from November to April, was the busiest yet for Abu Dhabi, with a record 10 maiden calls (first-time visits) and 189,709 passengers visiting the UAE capital on 75 calls into Zayed Port during the season.
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