Dubai readies for bumper cruise season

DUBAI Cruise Tourism,
part of Dubai Tourism,
is expecting a
bumper cruise season
with the opening of the
new 27 000-sqm terminal
at Mina Rashid and the
implementation of a multipleentry
visa for cruise tourists.
A total of 110 cruise ships
carrying more than 381 000
passengers will arrive over
the next seven months.
Passenger numbers are set
to be 19% higher than the
previous season.
Hamad bin Mejren,
executive director of Dubai
Tourism, said: “We are set to
record significant growth in
ship calls and in passenger
numbers. We have set
ambitious growth targets for
cruise as part of our Dubai
Tourism Vision for 2020 as
we aim to become the world’s
leading destination for family
tourism. We believe there is
an opportunity to grow intraregional
cruise tourism with
our Gulf Community Council
neighbours.”
Tourists who require entry
into multiple UAE ports – for
example Abu Dhabi, Dubai
and Khorfakkan – can apply
for the new visa through their
cruise line, either at the time
of or after booking. The visa
is valid for 60 days from
the date of issue to the first
entry into UAE. After the first
entry, the visa remains valid
for 30 days.