Abu Dhabi has reached a new milestone in its cruise tourism development with the arrival at Mina Zayed’s new temporary cruise terminal of the luxury MSC Lirica cruise ship – the first to home port in the UAE capital.
The 59,000 ton MSC Lirica, arrived from Genoa, Italy. Her passengers and crew were given a warm welcome with a spectacular fireworks display before disembarking to the cruise terminal where traditional Yolla and Ayallah dancing were displayed.
MSC Lirica is now sailing on the first of 19, eight day itineraries for 2011/2012 cruising around Abu Dhabi and the Emirates and calling at Muscat, Al Fujairah, Khasab in Oman and Dubai with 95 calls and rotations.
The ceremony was attended by Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, Mubarak Al Muhairi, director general of ADTA, Pierfrancesco Vago, chief executive officer of MSC Cruises, with former captain of the Italian national football team Fabio Cannavaro attending as guest of honour.
Sheikh Sultan told guests at the ceremony that MSC Lirica would be remembered for breaking new ground in Abu Dhabi adding: “We hope she has set a course that many others will follow.”
Our studies show that 30 per cent of cruise passengers return to the home port for longer stay and we look forward to welcoming these new arrivals back time and again.
The home porting of MSC Lirica follows the signing, a year ago, of an agreement between ADTA and MSC Cruises, one of the world’s fastest-growing cruise operators and a market leader in the Mediterranean, South Africa and Brazil, to deploy one of its top vessels on a home port basis in Abu Dhabi.
During the welcoming ceremony, Pierfrancesco Vago, chief executive officer, MSC Cruises, commented: “I am proud of what we’ve achieved so far and confident that this is just the beginning of a great new era for cruise tourism in the United Arab Emirates. I look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship between us, the port and tourism authorities and one that will ensure visitors from around the world an exciting new dimension to travel in the region.”
ADTA has estimated the MSC’s decision to home port the ship in Abu Dhabi will generate up to US $ 22 million per season in direct economic impact on the tourism, airline, accommodation, retail, transport, food and beverage and attractions sectors. Cruise tourism has been prioritised as a core pillar in Abu Dhabi’s tourism targets which aim to achieve 2.3 million hotel guests by the end of next year.
Abu Dhabi anticipates receiving around 170,000 cruise visitors before the 2011/2012 season ends next April.
The new temporary cruise terminal at Mina Zayed spans some 2,000 square metres and comprises two dedicated halls – one a luggage-handling facility, the other a passenger centre complete with a waiting lounge, security section, prayer rooms, offices, visitor information centre, currency exchange as well as customs and immigration facilities.
MSC Cruises modern fleet comprises 11 ships: MSC Splendida and MSC Fantasia, MSC Poesia, MSC Orchestra, MSC Musica, MSC Sinfonia, MSC Armonia, MSC Opera, MSC Lirica, MSC Melody and MSC Magnifica, launched in March of last year.
The fleet will increase in size with the addition of the MSC Divina which will be christened on May 26 in Marseille next year.