According to senior Dubai tourism official the emirate’s cruise sector will be transformed by a new law to bring in multiple entry visas. Latest regulatory changes will also further enhance medical tourism in Dubai, said, Hamad bin Mejren, executive director of business tourism at Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM).
On August 1, a new ruling in the UAE took effect and it includes a new multiple entry tourism permit for cruise passengers and a range of new entry permits for medical tourists and their companions. The visa options aim to make travel between the UAE and nearby countries easier for tourists who need to make multiple stops whether by air, land or sea.
The new multiple entry tourism permit for cruise passengers costs AED200.
“This positive announcement of the new visa system will have an encouraging impact on the attractiveness of Dubai as a destination for those overseas visitors who plan on travelling in and out of the UAE – for example on a cruise ship, or by taking a short break into neighbouring Oman and Saudi Arabia,” said Bin Mejren.
“The announcement will have a significant impact on cruise tourism in the Arabian Gulf, and is one which has been received very well by our partners within the cruise industry,” he added.
Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Qatar, Oman and Ras Al-Khaimah are all embarking on port expansion plans that would allow the region to grow its share of the lucrative cruise market.
Tourism chiefs in Oman, Abu Dhabi and Dubai also proclaimed a new partnership to promote cruise tourism in the Gulf region, in December.
The Ministry of Tourism Oman (Oman Tourism), Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) and the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) have united in a bid to enhance the number of cruise tourists and to raise awareness of the Gulf as a cruise destination.
