Dubai to boost maritime traffic

Dubai’s maritime industry has significant potential to grow by expanding into the lucrative luxury yacht sector and ensuring leisure maritime pursuits, aiming to broaden Dubai’s tourism offering.

TT Bureau

As per the latest report by Dubai Tourism, Dubai is the world’s fourth most visited city. Following the announcement of the economic stimulus by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai to reinforce Dubai’s economy in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, the Dubai Maritime City Authority (DMCA) supported by the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) organised a workshop at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) for key government entities, yacht operators and manufacturers as part of wider efforts to develop Dubai’s maritime industry.
The workshop on leisure maritime traffic was attended by HE Helal Saeed Almarri, Director-General of Dubai Tourism; HE Amer Ali, Executive Director of Dubai Maritime City Authority (DMCA), and senior officials from Federal Transport Authority, Department of Naturalisation and Residency, Ports, Customs and Free Zones Corporation, Dubai Coast Guard and Dubai Sports Council, as well as operators and manufacturers of luxury yachts.
“At DMCA, we continuously work hard to improve, enhance and develop all those aspects that help create a competitive maritime sector in Dubai. The forward-thinking vision of Dubai Tourism is in sync with ours in creating a world-class marine leisure sector in Dubai. We are working to develop business friendly services to foreign superyachts and other watercrafts to guarantee that Dubai waters enjoy marine safety, operational efficiency, and safe navigation,” Ali said.
The leisure maritime sector is expected to continue an upward trend due to ease of regulations, encouraging recreational boating activities. However, local stakeholders have highlighted a number of challenges that are being addressed to facilitate easier access and to enhance increased visits from maritime enthusiasts who seek sea-based experiences.
Speaking about the workshop, Almarri said, “With an advanced marine leisure industry including infrastructure that is on par with international standards, Dubai is well-positioned to capture the mega yachts market and become the region’s preferred yachting hub,” he added.