The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) has signed an agreement with Dubai Maritime City Authority (DMCA), which enables the authority to handle registration and licensing of all maritime tourism activities within Dubai.

The move is part of a series of initiatives aimed to consolidate the emirate's maritime industry by providing a centralised point of access for all maritime-related activities in Dubai.

Khalid Ahmed Bin Sulayem, director general of DTCM and Amer Ali, CEO of Dubai Maritime City Authority recently signed the agreement.

Under the terms of the agreement, DMCA will regulate maritime tourism businesses in Dubai including floating hotels, tour operators, floating restaurants, yacht rentals and leisure boat trips.

Bin Sulayem said the collaboration with Dubai Maritime City Authority would surely help enhance the delivery of services to the greater public, particularly the maritime business community.

'We believe in the expertise of Dubai Maritime City Authority and have high hopes for their plans and vision. As such, we are confidently entrusting the affairs of the maritime business community into their care and look forward to exciting new developments within this critical sector with Dubai Maritime City at the helm,' he added.

He said the transfer of maritime related tourism activities to DMCA was a major step towards boosting this vital maritime sector in Dubai.

'Maritime tourism is a rapidly growing industry and a huge revenue source for Dubai. This sector is definitely one of Dubai's prime attractions, targeting not only leisure tourists but business travellers and international maritime investors who are looking for new business opportunities in the region,' he noted.

'This partnership with DTCM will allow Dubai Maritime City Authority to give full attention to the overall development and welfare of this booming sector, which will be greatly beneficial to the clients as they now have to deal with an authority solely dedicated to addressing all their needs,' said Amer Ali.

'This is an important step towards realising our ultimate goal of transforming Dubai into a world-class maritime hub and making it a premier model of maritime excellence and a vital link in the global maritime network,' he added.

DTCM will train DMCA employees to handle the registration and licensing process of maritime-related tourism businesses and also make available all relevant resources and extend ongoing support to facilitate a smooth and seamless transition of functions.

Dubai Maritime City Authority is in the process of preparing guidelines aimed at monitoring tourist ships and its various activities.-TradeArabia News Service