United Arab Emirates: Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) is to open a new tented cruise terminal at Mina Zayed, which is capable of simultaneously accommodating 1,300 passengers.
Erected in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC) and Abu Dhabi Terminals (ADT), the facility has been designed to cater for the 2011-12 and 2012-13 cruise seasons. It 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.
The new terminal will open with a welcome ceremony for the 59,000-tonne liner 'Lirica', which will use Abu Dhabi as its home port from the end of this month as it embarks on 19 eight-day cruises around the Arabian Gulf. 'Lirica' has a capacity for 2,199 guests in 784 cabins.
According to ADTA, the arrival of 'Lirica' – the first liner to homeport in the UAE capital – is expected to bring a significant boost to Abu Dhabi's cruise traffic, which is already being aided by increased deployment of larger-capacity vessels by existing operators. The authority says homeporting will also deliver greater knock-on benefits to the local economy. ADTA has prioritised cruise tourism as one of its five 2011-12 strategy pillars.