The Middle East’s cruise sector will be highly visible and well represented at this year’s Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2014.
Relaxed visa requirements have also helped the cruise sector, especially when multiple ports of call are a part of the cruise agenda. GCC countries through bilateral agreements with other nations have allowed a new wave of visitors to apply for visa on arrival and the UAE is apparently considering a new multi-entry cruise visa. This is creating opportunities for local tour operators offering select activity packages to showcase their services at ATM and strong creative marketing campaigns have raised the profile of destinations such as Salalah and Musandam.
An extra hall has been added to this year’s ATM to accommodate 23,500 square metres of floor space - an increase of almost 7% on 2013. The Cruise Pavilion has played its part, more than doubling in size to almost 200 square metres since last year. Exhibitors on the Cruise Pavilion include, Royal Caribbean, Al Marsa Musandam Diving & Cruises, Pullmantur Cruises from Spain and Pearl Marketing Reps from the UK and Cruise Arabia amongst others.
Complementing the cruise pavilion is a cruise seminar which will debate the latest industry issues such as product innovation, premium cabin developments and new destinations.
Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2014 takes place at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 5-8 May.
