An increased demand in tourism interest from European and Far Eastern visitors will soon see a greater number of cruise ships transiting through Dubai. SNTTA Emir Tours braces for increase in visitor influx as travelers explore UAE's developed tourism infrastructure Pointing this out, a senior official of SNTTA Emir Tours, a member of the Dubai based Liberty Investment Company, said that world-class facilities, liberal environment and a diversity of attractions have all helped in positioning Dubai in the European market as a leading port of call for major cruise liners operating out of Europe.
'Tourists are extremely keen about enhancing their cruise ship experience by seeking destinations that are exceptionally safe, warm & friendly and offer a good mix of culture and heritage,' explained Jyoti Panchmatia, General Manager of SNTTA Emir Tours. 'Dubai has all those elements and more. At the same time, it offers a blend of modernity and tradition, making it an exotic destination for international travelers.'
SNTTA Emir Tours works closely with the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) and major cruise operators to strengthen Dubai's stature as a popular tourism alternative for European and Far Eastern visitors. This week, SNTTA Emir Tours hosted the MS Europa, a well-known German luxury cruise liner, which called at the Dubai Cruise Terminal with over 300 travelers. MS Europa is the only cruise liner to be awarded the coveted 5 star plus distinction for six years in a row from 2001 to 2006 by the Berlitz Cruise Guide.
Panchmatia added that SNTTA Emir Tours catered to over 1,100 European visitors last year and that figure is expected to grow by 40 percent this year. According to DTCM estimates for 2005, 12,000 visitors arrived at the Dubai Cruise Terminal last year, making it the biggest port of call for international cruise ships in the Middle East.
'As the cruise travel industry continues to expand and innovate, Dubai has shaped up into an impressive cruise destination,' Panchmatia added. 'Traditionally, October to May is the busy season for this region's cruise travel sector and we are confident that many more international players will soon include this important region to their itineraries.'
She pointed out that the increasing popularity of Dubai has led local companies to develop a comprehensive program of activities that showcase the region's fascinating contrasts, especially where age-old traditional values blend seamlessly with its modern, multi-cultural environment.
Sebastian Ahrens, Managing Director of Hapag-Lloyd Kreuzfahrten, which operates the MS Europa, explained that Dubai's connectivity to the region and the rest of the world made it an attractive option for travelers worldwide. In view of Dubai's growing profile, destination management companies operating in the region will have to gear up to the challenge of ensuring that they continue to offer world-class service and amenities to visitors.
'Most European tourists visiting Dubai have heard about this emirate and marvel at the boldness with which the projects have been carried out,' Ahrens pointed out. 'In this respect, Dubai has done well to launch imaginative concepts and market them professionally to European audiences. This visionary approach has positioned Dubai as the market leader that sets the benchmark in the leisure industry.'
Ahrens revealed that Dubai's popularity as a cruise destination was in turn boosting the tourism infrastructure in Gulf countries such as Oman and Bahrain. 'Once known only as an important trading port, Dubai is now an international holiday and leisure destination,' he added. 'There is always something for everyone here.'
