Internationally tried and tested cruise hub know-how will be in focus at a major industry gathering in Dubai, later this year…
Internationally tried and tested cruise hub know-how will be in focus at a major industry gathering in Dubai, later this year, as the Persian Gulf’s campaign to become a leading winter destination gathers pace.
The concept will be outlined by Gulf Agency Company (GAC) Dubai, a pioneer of Persian Gulf cruise agency business, which believes its strategy can successfully attract top cruise lines to the region.
“By establishing a cruise hub concept in the region, we can encourage the growth of the industry among operators within the Gulf, India, Sri Lanka and parts of Asia Pacific, such as Myanmar and Indonesia,” said Shashi Nair, Senior Manager, Shipping Services, GAC.
The concept will be unveiled at Seatrade Middle East Maritime (SMEM) – the region’s premier event for the maritime industry which features a special cruise conference. Representatives of more than 15 major cruise lines will be at SMEM to probe the major issues impacting the region’s burgeoning cruise sector.
“The conference will be agenda-setting and will touch on key requirements for the regional industry,” said Chris Hayman, Managing Director, Seatrade – the international maritime publisher and events organiser behind SMEM.
“Delegates will hear what the principal drivers are behind growth, what the market potential is, what products are needed to fulfil it, the preferred itinerary and destination options, and what operators are looking for in terms of maritime services and supply.”
“The decision by two leading cruise lines – Costa and Aida – to position ships in Dubai this December for a series of seven-day cruises is a major boost for cruise tourism in the Gulf and Indian Ocean.”
The SMEM cruise conference, which runs at the Dubai World Trade Centre on December 5, is taking place against a background of significant worldwide industry growth and a move by operators to open up new destinations and products.
“The global cruise business is witnessing average growth of around 8% and major cruise lines are now focussing on the Middle East market as a means of maintaining momentum,” said Hayman.
“Worldwide, industry revenues are expected to reach US $50 billion by 2015. The UAE is central to regional growth with some 80,000 cruise passengers scheduled to pass through the Dubai Cruise Terminal in 2007.”
GAC says cruise shipping has been the fastest growing sector of the travel industry over the past decade and is increasingly becoming a vacation of choice.
“Operators are looking to control the business process making it cost-effective for them to operate in this region,” said Nair. “The hub agency concept to be unveiled at SMEM will offer a one-stop outsourced solution.”
The cruise conference is part of a three-pronged maritime industry meet which will also include conferences for general shipping and the SuperYacht sector. SMEM 2006 will also feature training workshops for travel agents.
The third Seatrade Dubai International Maritime Awards (DIMAs) will be presented at a gala dinner to coincide with SMEM 2006. The awards are the leading honours recognising top industry achievers in West and Central Asia.
SMEM 2006 is sponsored and supported by Dubai Maritime City and the Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DTCM).
SMEM 2006 is being held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Principal sponsors are Gulf Energy Maritime (GEM) and National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC).
SMEM 2006 is officially supported by Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dubai Shipping Agents Association (DSAA), DP World and the International Association of Ports & Harbors (IAPH).
Other sponsors include Aalborg Industries, Clyde & Co, BP Marine, Bulk Shipping & Trading, Charter Trade Global LLC, Dena-BMS, Dubai Drydocks, Emarat Maritime, Lloyd’s Register, Nico International, Norton Rose, Scan-Trans Middle East and Sharaf Shipping Agency.
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