Dubai Cruise Terminal, operated by global marine terminal operator DP World and managed by Department of Tourism & Commerce (DTCM), has won the World’s Leading Cruise Port award at the prestigious World Travel Awards 2011 for the fourth consecutive time.
Tariq Bin Khalifa, Director, Account Management, DP World, UAE Region, and Mohammed Al Mannaei, Director – Port Rashid, DP World UAE Region,received the award on behalf of the company at WTA’s Grand Final Gala ceremony in Doha on Wednesday evening (January 11). The event was attended by hundreds of top industry executives, including decision makers in global travel and tourism.
The event marked the culmination of a year-long search for the very best travel and tourism brands in the world, and Dubai Cruise Terminal located at Port Rashid was voted the world’s best from among WTA’s 17 regional winners for the year.
The WTA honour comes just two months after DP World announced plans to expand the current terminal facilities by the end of 2012 to cater for as many as five cruise ships at one time from the existing capacity for two vessels. DP World’s vision is for Port Rashid to eventually be able to serve as many as seven cruise vessels at one time.
Mohammed Al Muallem, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, DP World,
UAE Region, said:
“The consistency with which Dubai has been voted the World’s Leading Cruise Port at the World Travel Trade Awards confirms our long-term commitment to invest in developing Port Rashid further as the regional cruise destination of choice. We are honoured by this recognitionand we thank our strategic partner in promoting cruise tourism, the Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DTCM), for their important role in the success of Port Rashid as a cruising destination.”
Dubai Cruise Terminal won the Middle East’s Leading Cruise Port award four consecutive times at the World Travel Awards between 2008 and 2011.
According to DTCM, Dubai will see a cruise tourism growth in excess of 58% by 2015. Dubai Cruise Terminal experienced a 30% growth in tourist traffic between 2009 and 2010, from 100 ships and 260,000 passengers to 120 ships and more than 390,000 passengers. The pattern is set to continue with 135 cruise vessel calls in 2011and 475,000 passengers.
As well as Port Rashid, DP World also developed and operates South America’s largest and most modern cruise terminal, Quinquela Martin in Buenos Aires, Argentina, located in its Terminales Rio de la Plata (TRP).
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About DP World
DP World operates more than 60 terminals across six continents(1), with container handling generating around 80% of its revenue. In addition, the company currently has 11 new developments and major expansions underway in 10 countries.
DP World aims to enhance customers’ supply chain efficiency by effectively managing container, bulk and other terminal cargo. Its dedicated, experienced and professional team of nearly 30,000 people serves customers in some of the most dynamic economies in the world.
The company constantly invests in terminal infrastructure, facilities and people, working closely with customers and business partners to provide quality services today and tomorrow, when and where customers need them.
In taking this customer-centric approach, DP World is building on the established relationships and superior level of service demonstrated at its flagship Jebel Ali facility in Dubai, which has been voted “Best Seaport in the Middle East” for 17 consecutive years.
In 2010, DP World handled nearly 50 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent container units) across its portfolio from the Americas to Asia. With a pipeline of expansion and development projects in key growth markets, including India, China and the Middle East, capacity is expected to rise to around 100 million TEU by 2020, in line with market demand.
www.dpworld.com
(1) As of December 2011. Includes non-container terminals
Photo Caption:
Image1: Tariq Bin Khalifa, Director Account Management - General Cargo, DP World UAE Region (middle) and Mohammed Al Mannaei, Director – Port Rashid, DP World UAE Region (right) receiving the Award for World’s Leading Cruise Port 2011 from Graham Cooke, President & Founder, World Travel Awards
Contacts
Media inquiries:
Natasha Bukhari
Global Corporate Communications Manager
DP World
Tel: +97156 6821699
Natasha.Bukhari@dpworld.com
Sanaa Maadad
Director, Media
Hasaad Communications
Tel: +97150 5522610
sana@hasaad.ae
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