Maritime
industry experts speaking at the third annual edition of the World
Ports & Trade Summit will turn their attention from seaborne
trade issues to cruise and marina development.
Global
industry leaders, waterborne tourism experts and port operators
return to Abu Dhabi between 19 and 20 March 2013 for the summit.
Held
in strategic partnership with the Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC), the
two-day conference programme will include a special session on cruise
and marina tourism in the Gulf and Middle East on March 20th, as
growth for the GCC hospitality market is forecast to grow at an
annual rate of 8.1%, reaching US$28.3 billion by 2016.
Industry
leaders, port operators and tourism experts will join in an
interactive discussion looking at the development of cruise
facilities in the region and the expanding portfolio of regional
marinas driven by demand from high net-worth super-yacht owners in
the Gulf.
“There
is a compelling argument for world-class super yacht marina
development and ongoing investment into the creation of international
standard cruise hubs as key contributors to the bigger picture for
seaborne trade in the region,” said Chris Hayman, Chairman of
Seatrade, organisers of the World Ports & Trade Summit.
The
panel line-up for the conference session includes Eamon Bradshaw,
CEO, Galway Port, Helen Beck, Royal
Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises &
Regional Director, International Representatives - Europe, Middle
East & Africa; Gary Groenewold, VP, Westrec Marinas & Board
Member of the International Super-yacht Society and current chairman
of the
Association of Marine Industries, USA; and
Hamad Mohammed Bin Mejren, Executive Director - Business Tourism,
DTCM.
According
to Helen Beck of Royal Caribbean International, one of the
ongoing challenges for cruise ship operators in the region is the
lack of variety of ports of call currently available and the actual
location of the facilities, as she explains: “Most of the berths
for cruise vessels in the region are located within commercial
shipping ports, which means that they are not necessarily well-suited
to the particular needs of cruise vessels and the passengers. There
has been very welcome investment by the port and tourism authorities
in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Muscat, however we need this example to be
followed by other ports and destinations around the region.”
Beck
also reports a “very healthy” 2012/13 cruise season, with most
schedules virtually sold-out however, the future appeal of the region
is dependent on investment into dedicated cruise hubs. “We
encourage all of our port partners to interact with the cruise
lines to really understand the needs of
each cruise company - both from the
marine and guest experience perspective;
and it is very important that governments and official bodies work
together to develop an integrated cruise tourism strategy across all
[relevant] authorities to ensure that everyone is aligned in a common
vision,” she said.
With
development of a number of regional marinas set to resume after being
placed on hold during the financial downturn, new waterfront
destinations are also being launched from Bahrain to the Sinai
Peninsula.
“We
are seeing active marina development across the Gulf. Bahrain is
restarting US$80 million worth of mixed-use projects with the
Muharraq coastal site and delayed King Fasial Corniche seafront
project both given the green light; and Oman plans a new 100-berth
marina project as part of the Jebel Sifah development, and has
already launched the first 120 berths at its super-yacht Almouj
Marina on The Wave in Muscat,” said Hayman.
An
annual calendar
event for global economists, port
authorities, terminal operators, shipping
companies, global cargo owners and investors,
the two-day summit will take place at the five-star St Regis Saadiyat
Island Resort.
Organised
by Seatrade, the World Ports & Trade Summit is held in strategic
partnership with the Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC).
For
more information on World Ports & Trade Summit 2013, please log
on to worldportsandtrade.com.