For the 2008 cruise season the number of cruise passengers to arrive in Dubai is expected to reach over 200,000 -

As part of the efforts to boost cruise tourism in the Arabian Gulf region and entice global cruise operators to start regional cruise operations, a senior official of the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) visited Sultanate of Oman and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and held talks with the officials for better coordination and cooperation.

Mr. Awadh Seghayer Al Ketbi, DTCM Executive Director Heritage, Convention and Cruise, said senior officials of the AGCC cruise ports will be meeting in Dubai in March to discuss cruise tourism issues and ways and means to boost cruise tourism industry.

He briefed the officials about the cruise developments in the emirate, the schedule of major global cruise liners for Dubai and their expectations from the region ports and authorities.

In Oman , he met with Mr. Saud bin Ahmed Al Nahari, Executive Director of Sultan Qaboos Port , and Mohammed bin Hamoud Al Toubi, Undersecetary at the Ministry of Tourism. In Saudi Arabia , he held discussions with senior officials of Saudi Ports Authority and Saudi Commission for Tourism.

The ship-shaped Dubai Cruise Terminal, opened in 2001, measures 3300 square metres and is able to accommodate two ships simultaneously on a 335-metre quay.

The Dubai Cruise Terminal is the world's first to receive ISO-9002 certification and also the world's only cruise facility run by the government tourism body, DTCM.    The Dubai cruise terminal is able to accommodate two ships simultaneously.

DTCM signed an agreement with Cruise operator Costa Crociere. The agreement marks the creation of a full-fledged partnership between Costa Crociere and Dubai , providing for joint marketing initiatives in the next five years promoting both brands worldwide. 

During the current winter season 2007-2008, Dubai expects more than 200,000 cruise passengers to visit the emirate, giving a big boost to the booming tourism industry. 

Dubai handled 32,000 cruise passenger movements in 2006, up from 23,000 cruise passengers in the previous year. For the 2006-2007, season, Dubai is expected to play host to over 85,000 passengers.