Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) has announced the launch of Sir Bani Yas Beach Island this December which will serve as a stopover for cruise passengers. This island will comprise three Anantara hotels and travellers can look forward to wildlife tourism, safari and adventure sports facilities. Thirty-nine calls are already confirmed from the stopover island for this year. TCA Abu Dhabi is conducting three-city Cruise Tourism India Roadshow covering Delhi, Ahmedabad and Mumbai. The first purpose-built cruise terminal at Port Zayed was inaugurated last December which holds a capacity of accommodating two large cruise ships and one small vessel, serving 4,500 passengers at a time.
Saeed Abdullah Al Dhaheri, Section Manager, Cruise Sector & City Tour Development, TCA Abu Dhabi, said, “Between Q4 2015 and Q2 2016, Indian cruise tourists comprised 9% of total cruise arrivals. Though India is not among the top five source markets for cruise passengers, but the inbound from India is growing year on year. Last year, Abu Dhabi welcomed 231,659 (2015-16) cruise tourists from India and this year, we are optimistic on attracting 320,000 Indian cruise tourists (2016-17). The unified multiple-entry UAE cruise visa in just USD 50 (AED 200) has also contributed in attracting growing number of tourists.”
Majority of the cruise passengers also visited Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque (71%), followed by Heritage Village (38%), Ferrari World (34%), Emirates Palace (31%) and Yas Waterworld (151%). During his presentation, Alessandro Liverani, Manager, Global Cruise Sales, Etihad Airways, said that the carrier is offering discounted fares for cruise passengers. The carrier would be adding a second frequency to Ahmedabad from February 2017 and fourth flight to Calicut from April 1, 2017.
Kunal Sampat, GM – India, MSC Cruises, added, “The Indian travel trade needs to open up and promote the cruise itinerary beyond three nights. In our eight nights and seven days cruise itinerary from Abu Dhabi, we cover the hidden jewels of UAE and the soon to be launched Sir Bani Yas Beach Island. This is also a great option for organising MICE events onboard with all logistics being taken care of.”
Sampat stated that MSC Meraviglia (5,714 passenger capacity, 2,244 cabins) would be commencing its sailings by June next year, and MSC Seaside (5179 passenger capacity, 2,067 cabins) by December 2017. As For MSC Seaview (5,179 passenger capacity, 2,067 cabins), the sailing schedule is yet to be finalized.
The representative from TIRUN Travel Marketing highlighted the recently revamped features of Celebrity Constellation with new AquaClass staterooms, Blu restaurant, enhanced Wi-Fi and a Celebrity Lounge.
