The cruise sector in Abu Dhabi is celebrating a year of achievement with record numbers of ship calls and passengers arriving in the emirate during the previous season and the successful launch of the Arabian Gulf’s only dedicated cruise beach stopover.
During the season, which runs from October until June, Abu Dhabi received more than 100 ship calls for the first time ever, seven regional rotational callers, which is the highest ever recorded, and welcomed more than 228,000 passengers.
The previous season, Abu Dhabi reported 94 ship calls and 200,000 passengers.
Ten years ago just 35,000 passengers and 29 ship arrivals visited the emirate.
Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority, which is responsible for developing the industry in the emirate along with its partners, expects annual growth rate to exceed more than ten per cent following a highly successful 2015-16 season and a strong start to the new season, which will be the longest Abu Dhabi has held.
