The cruise quay at Dubai’s Rashid Port received four cruise ships simultaneously on Friday – Aida Stilla, Main Chef 5, MSC Splendida and Coasta Mediterrania – the first time this has been achieved.
The multiple arrivals confirm the port’s readiness to meet the growing demand in the cruise tourism sector and the emirate’s plans to target a million cruise tourists by 2020, a statement said.
A total of 21,411 tourists and 3,849 crew were on board the ships, it added.
The emirate of Dubai received 157 cruise ships during the current season 2016-2017 which started last October and will continue until April.
This represents a 18 percent increase compared to last season which received 133 cruise ships. The number of cruise tourists grew 15 percent to reach 650,000 in 2016-2017 season.
Mohammed Al Mannaei, CEO P&O Marinas and executive director Mina Rashid, DP World said that receiving four big cruise ships on a single day indicates the port’s ability to cope up with the growth in cruise tourism in Dubai.
“The port can receive seven cruise ships simultaneously on a 1,900m quay and capacity of 18,000 tourists through terminals 2 and 3. Cruise Terminal 3 is the biggest of its type worldwide with a capacity of 14,000 passengers,” he added.
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