MSC Cruises to use Abu Dhabi as a new Middle East homeport
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Abu Dhabi’s ambition to become an international cruise hub has received a significant boost following co-operative deal between the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) and MSC Cruises. The landmark agreement will see the world’s fastest growing cruise operators deploy one of its top vessels in the UAE capital on a homeport basis from October next year. The move will strengthen the UAE capital’s nascent cruise tourism credentials and serve as a core enabler in ADTA’s strategy to attract 2.3 million hotel guests to the emirate by the end of 2012. “MSC Cruises’ commitment to Abu Dhabi as a homeport will deliver both tactical and strategic outcomes for the emirate,” said Mubarak Al Muhairi, Director General of ADTA. “Beyond the substantial, broad-based benefits to our domestic tourism sector through incremental gains in hotel guests, longer length of stay and greater spending, this partnership provides Abu Dhabi a firm footing on the international cruise tourism map and reinforces the strategic case for a world-class, purpose-built cruise terminal in the emirate.” Pierfrancesco Vago, Chief Executive Officer, MSC Cruises added: “MSC Cruises is proud to become the first cruise company to choose Abu Dhabi as a homeport,” he said. “With our state-of-the-art vessel MSC Lirica operating 95 calls and rotations in the region, our presence will have a significant impact on Abu Dhabi’s tourism industry.”
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