A New Era of Growth for Abu Dhabi's Cruise Industry
The global cruise industry is witnessing a positive rebound despite the lingering impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, with cruise liners working hard to prepare facilities and attractions to meet soaring tourist demand as travel restrictions ease around the world.
The Arabian Gulf’s cruise industry in particular has seen encouraging recovery as it resumes activity, driven by robust national health and safety measures, as well as the continued commitment by world-leading cruise line operators to serve the region.
A stand-out destination not to be missed from an itinerary is Abu Dhabi. Widely praised as one of the most resilient destinations in the world in terms of protecting its communities during the pandemic, travellers have been reassured that their safety is a top priority as they plan their visit to unmissable attractions in the UAE capital once more.
Offering access to pristine waters and spectacular wildlife, amazing amusement parks and world-class museums, Abu Dhabi’s cruise tourism industry experienced an impressive growth trajectory prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. With an estimated 500,000 cruise visitors arriving at the Emirate’s ports in 2019, cruise tourism within Abu Dhabi increased by a record-breaking 46 percent compared to the previous year.
In 2021 with its mission to meet increasing cruise demand unchanged, and in anticipation for the approval to receive cruise ships again for the new season, AD Ports Group was quick to implement health and safety measures to safeguard the wellbeing of travellers in line with Abu Dhabi’s health protocols for international arrivals.
Efforts ranging from daily sterilisation of facilities to the development of comprehensive emergency response plans within Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal played a pivotal role in the recovery of Abu Dhabi’s cruise industry in the wake of COVID-19, that even saw the season extended by a full three months to cater for additional demand.
With the end of our season, the Group has reported welcoming 251,700 visitors to Abu Dhabi over the 2021/2022 season arriving onboard 133 ships.
A major driver of increased passenger numbers has been the launch of a new cruise jetty at Sir Bani Yas Cruise Beach, the first and only dedicated cruise beach of its kind in the region that provides a truly unique experience for even the most seasoned traveller, and an opportunity to unwind in one of the UAE’s most unspoilt locations.
The jetty, which was inaugurated by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representative in the Al Dhafra Region, allows two vessels to dock at the same time, and is primed to allow up to 5,000 passengers to embark and disembark at an accelerated rate at Sir Bani Yas Cruise Beach.
An established leader in the industry with a proven track record, AD Ports Group has also committed itself to extending its influence beyond the UAE, bringing its expertise as a cruise facilitator to other emerging tourist hotspots across the Gulf.
In 2022 for example, AD Ports Group signed an agreement to develop, manage and operate a new cruise terminal in Aqaba, Jordan, which will serve as a gateway for passengers visiting the Red Sea. The new cruise terminal is the initial step in AD Ports Group vision to increase the potential of the Red Sea area as a high-performing cruise destinations.
While the road towards full recovery remains an ongoing challenge for the Gulf’s cruise industry, for its leading champions the outlook is optimistic and full of opportunity. Here, AD Ports Group stands out as a crucial growth enabler for the sector, developing best-in-class infrastructure to support the recovery of the cruise tourism industry for the nation and beyond.