Major developments in Abu Dhabi’s cruise sector and an international marketing and promotional campaign are being rolled out at Europe’s leading business-to-business cruise event, Seatrade Europe, currently taking place in Hamburg, Germany.

The dual promotional push is set to demonstrate that Abu Dhabi is well placed to add value to cruise operator itineraries through compelling shore excursions opportunities and state-of-the-art port and air facilities, anchoring Abu Dhabi’s growing reputation as of one of the world’s fastest growing regional cruise destinations.

Presenting a unified destination approach, a five-strong delegation of organisations spearheaded by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) - including Abu Dhabi Ports, Etihad Airways and a number of private sector shore excursion providers and ship handling agents - will set out to assert the emirate’s commitment to regional cruise development as part of a coordinated Cruise Arabia stand.

“Our presence in Hamburg will launch a series of international cruise promotional marketing activities to build on our successes, celebrate the forthcoming terminal facility at Zayed Port and press the emirate’s case as a leading winter-sun cruise destination,” said Sultan Al Dhaheri, TCA Abu Dhabi’s acting executive director of tourism.

The international Cruise Abu Dhabi promotional push coincides with the opening of the capital’s new permanent cruise terminal which will deliver both tactical and strategic benefits to the emirate.
“We are looking forward to a promising cruise season. The increased number of vessels calls, especially of major global cruise lines, and the scheduled opening of the new cruise terminal will make this season an exciting one. The new terminal will expand Zayed Port’s existing status as a premier cruise hub in the region,” said Gary Lemke, executive vice president at Abu Dhabi Ports.

A landmark partnership co-operation agreement forged with MSC Cruises will be a priority for the emirate’s presence in Hamburg. From December, the UAE capital is set to host the luxury MSC Musica vessel as its Arabian Gulf home port for the 2015/16 season, becoming the first cruise line to choose Abu Dhabi and the new Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal.

“The selection of Abu Dhabi for MSC Musica’s regional Arabian Gulf rotations validates our efforts to elevate Abu Dhabi’s standing as one of the world’s must-experience cruise destinations,” added Al Dhaheri.

For Etihad Airways, participation at Seatrade Europe is an opportunity to gain traction for its ‘Fly & Cruise’ packages from Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland and the UK.

Peter Baumgartner, chief commercial officer for Etihad Airways, said: “Between December 2015 and March of next year, we are looking forward to welcoming the MSC Musica to Abu Dhabi. The ship will home port in the city allowing guests to start and end their journey with Etihad Airways.”

“The ‘Fly & Cruise’ packages on offer will ensure that guests from countries across Europe are able to connect seamlessly and enjoy an amazing Arabian experience.”
The next port of call for Abu Dhabi’s international promotional drive is a two-city cruise roadshow in India in October, followed by a presence at November’s World Travel Market in London and participation at Cruise Shipping Miami in March 2016.

Tactical destination marketing activity in collaboration with cruise operators in Europe, the US, China, Australasia and Southern Africa will follow in 2016, ahead of the announced home-porting of Celebrity Cruises’ Constellation vessel for the 2016/17 season.

Seatrade Europe runs through to September 11 with a series of one-to-one meetings with the world cruise industry’s leading executives and itinerary development planners to stake a claim for a greater share of the lucrative luxury cruise market. – TradeArabia News Service