Dubai: Dubai is studying construction of a new cruise terminal, with an expected increase in the number of tourists coming by ship, a senior tourism official said.
The emirate beat its target for the cruise tourists during the last season, from October to May, when it received over 85,000 passengers, 20,000 more than expected.
The five-year-old Cruise Terminal Port Rashid is big enough for the cruise passenger numbers forecast in the immediate future, but a new terminal may be needed later, said Awadh Seghayer Al Ketbi, managing director of the Convention and the legacy of the division of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM).
"We are investigating the construction of a new cruise terminal. A decision will be this year," he said Gulf News.
During the coming winter season, Dubai expects 160000 cruise passengers.
The Italian Costa Crociere cruise line assigned to the two ships last season in Dubai for golf sailings that stops in Muscat and Bahrain.
The company has three ships in the coming winter season and hopes to 103000 tourists to Dubai.
"We expect about 55 calls. This brings the 160000 passengers who we are," said Ketbi.
The DTCM and the Italian companies have a five-year deal to deepen their cooperation and Costa opened a representative office in Dubai in October.
The cruise terminal is berthing priority must be given to the ships of Costa Crociere and other Carnival Corporation cruise companies.
"The agreement is the establishment of a comprehensive partnership between Costa Crociere and Dubai, for the joint marketing initiatives to promote both brands worldwide, with a particular focus on Asia and China," the DTCM said in a statement yesterday.
Costa Crociere President Gianni Onorato said the cruises from Dubai have proven to be "extremely popular," the company and the decision to start its operations Dubai proved to be "a far-sighted move."
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