The Abu Dhabi Cruise Tourism division is targeting to welcome 5 lakh cruise tourists from all across the world by 2021, informed Saeed A Al Dhaheri, Cruise Sector & City Tour Development Section Manager, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi). To achieve these figures, Dhaheri intends to boost the tourist arrival from India and increase the cruise tourists to 30% by 2020 from the Indian market. “We are also keen on launching a cruise specific training module in association with the Abu Dhabi Tourism, India Office by next year,” he added. From January to August 2015, Abu Dhabi has recorded 173,649 overnights from India, a 22% growth over the corresponding period last year.
For the next roadshow, he aims to tap more potential cities in India, which feature key demand. This year, Abu Dhabi is the home port for MSC Cruises. Celebrity Cruises will also be a part from next year. By 2020, Dhaheri targets to rope in 5 cruises and establish Abu Dhabi as their home port. “We are conducting a joint marketing campaign with MSC and Celebrity cruises. Under the same, the cruise companies will conduct aggressive promotional activity in the Indian market. We will shortly launch a video featuring the cruise business in Abu Dhabi which will be promoted through various mediums,” he revealed.
