The United Arab Emirates is set to be one of the largest growth areas in the cruise industry next year if forecasts by the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) are believed.
Predictions by the authority, which manages the emirate's tourism industry and promotes the destination, state that a 59 per cent growth in cruise passenger arrivals is expected in the 2009/10 season.
Some 200,000 arrivals are expected into the region between this November and May 2010, which is a significant increase on the 125,200 last season.
According to Ahmed Hussein, deputy director general of the ADTA, "the forecast is based on the 100 per cent occupancy level achieved by the cruise ships using Abu Dhabi as a port of call last season".
He added that the growth of the industry is to be aided by
Royal Caribbean Cruises expanding its itinerary to the region, while
Costa Cruises is also to expand upon its services.
Meanwhile, Costa Cruises also provides holidaymakers with the opportunity to visit destinations including Bahrain, Egypt and Oman in the Middle East.
Written by Chris Smith