New Cruise Terminal added to Abu Dhabi Port

The Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC) and Abu Dhabi Terminals (ADT) have joined together to provide a new tented cruise terminal at Mina Zayed Port in the northeast of the emirate.

The new cruise terminal is capable of simultaneously accommodating 1,300 tourists taking Abu Dhabi holidays via the port and has been designed to cater for the 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 cruise seasons.

Image by Mike Gaylard, on Flickr.

The terminal is located on the site of the former Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority visitor information centre and it spans 2,000 square-metres across two dedicated halls; one of which will be used as a luggage handling facility, and the other will be a passenger centre comprising a waiting lounge, security section, prayer rooms, currency exchange, visitor information centre and custom and immigration control facilities for tourists arriving to and departing from Abu Dhabi holidays.

The Vice-President of Operations for Ports Unit at ADPC, Captain Mohamed Al Shamisi, said: "We are delighted to see the establishment of a cruise terminal at Mina Zayed and look forward to receiving the first passengers. The port is a key part of Abu Dhabi's infrastructure and this project demonstrates the ongoing support between Government organisations to develop the economy and the tourism sector in the emirate."

Image by: Cariito2011, on Flickr.

The new cruise terminal will officially open during a welcome ceremony at the end of October when the luxurious MSC Lirica cruise liner arrives in Abu Dhabi. The city will be used as its home port as it sets off on its series of eight day/seven night cruises around the Arabian Gulf. The 59,000 ton vessel will bring 2,199 passengers to holidays in Abu Dhabi and the Gulf region over the winter months.

The MSC Lirica is the first liner to use the United Arab Emirates capital as its homeport and it is expected to bring an influx of international tourists taking holidays to Abu Dhabi, provide alternative accommodation to Abu Dhabi hotels, and bring a range of benefits to the local economy.

Image by: Sea Cruises Travel Brazil, on Flickr.

The Director General of ADTA, HE Mubarak Al Muhairi, said: "Cruise shipping has enjoyed strong recession-proof growth for many years. The market obviously ranges between low cost volume cruise business and very high end exclusive cruises – Abu Dhabi is targeting the higher end segment."

The Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority is planning to build a permanent cruise terminal at Mina Zayed and Al Muhairi explained: "Ultimately our capacity to build the cruise tourism business will rely on a combination of good planning, good infrastructure, strong marketing and industry co-operation.

"With this in mind, we now have government approval for the concept of a world-class cruise terminal which is required if we are to fulfil our ambition of becoming a home port of choice. We have singled out three possible sites in the Mina Zayed vicinity and have commissioned technical feasibility studies into these. Once these are complete, we will go to the design stage. We intend to make the permanent facility truly world-class. We realise we will be servicing new generation vessels that need ashore the same high-level facilities the passengers experience on board.

Al Muhairi added: "We have strong hopes of the cruise business continuing to grow into the future with longer term projects for 300 calls and 600,000 passengers by 2030."

About the Author

Born in Cuba and having lived and studied in London for over 5 years, Susana is a recent university graduate with a passion for travel who has taken much inspiration from the exotic destination she has visited throughout the years.

Upon graduating she has ultimately come to join an important UK tour operator specialised in Cuba holidays to share her love for travel with holidaymakers as the company's very own travel reporter and news editor. Her interest in the tourism industry was formed from a very early age, following her father's footsteps, a travel representative and manager, who worked for Cuba's national air carrier and whose travelling job was also the reason she found herself travelling from an early age and living in different parts of the world with her family.

Having travelled extensively herself, throughout her home country in Cuba, Europe and other faraway destinations in Asia and the Middle East, including exotic hot spots like China and Egypt, she continues to nourish and build upon her tourism knowledge to bring our travel readers with a fresh outlook on the latest happenings in the holiday industry.

Abu Dhabi International Airport Records Passenger Growth and Increase in Winter Flights

Abu Dhabi International Airport recorded successful figures in August, 2011 as passenger traffic reached 1.09 million and cargo traffic reached 39,841 tonnes.

Abu Dhabi Airports Company recently released a traffic report that revealed a 14 per cent increase in the number of travellers visiting the airport for Abu Dhabi holidays or taking flights to global destinations.

Abu Dhabi International Airport is one of the fastest growing airports in the world and during the first eight months of 2011, it has grown by 12.2 per cent.

Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Airports Company, James E. Bennett, explained: "The continuous increase of Abu Dhabi International Airport's passenger traffic goes in parallel with the growth that the Emirate is witnessing in trade, industry and tourism. Up to August, we have welcomed 8,000,000 passengers through our airport, providing efficient and high-quality services. We continuously monitor the market and the travel trends, to ensure that Abu Dhabi international Airport offers enhanced connectivity and an increased number of destinations and frequencies to all travellers."

Image by: mikecogh, on Flickr.

The increase of passengers in August is said to be partly due to travellers arriving to take holidays in Abu Dhabi for the Eid al Fitr festival, as well as the healthy growth of airlines.

The top five routes from Abu Dhabi International Airport during August were London, Jeddah, Doha, Bangkok, and Manila.
Abu Dhabi Airports Company recently announced that it would also be offering 900 weekly flights this winter; an eight per cent increase compared to the same period last year.

Between November 2011 and March 2012, travellers will be offered 900 weekly flights from Abu Dhabi to destinations across five continents around the world. The new winter schedule is a joint effort between the Abu Dhabi Airports Company and airlines to offer a wider selection for travellers taking Abu Dhabi holidays and connecting routes to other global destinations.

Image by: J.Elliott, on Flickr.

The capital of the United Arab Emirates is expecting a high number of travellers to take holidays to Abu Dhabi this winter season as it hosts a collection of major international and regional events such as the 2011 Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and the Eid Al Adha and Hajj celebrations in November.

Abu Dhabi hotels are expected to be full of visitors during these significant events next month and many airlines are enhancing their schedules to offer more flights to the city.

Image by: slleong, on Flickr.

Etihad Airways, the national carrier of Abu Dhabi has also launched new destinations in its 2011/2012 winter schedule to Chengdu, Dusseldorf, Male and the Seychelles.

Chief Operating Officer for Abu Dhabi Airports Company, Ahmad Al Haddabi, said: "As the Emirate of Abu Dhabi gears up for the busy coming months, with major international, local events and holidays taking place, Abu Dhabi Airports Company is continuously adapting its plans and developments to deliver services that would exceed the expectations and demands of its travellers and airlines partners equally.

"Saying this, we value the commitment of all our airlines to work with us in fulfilling this objective as they strive to increase their frequencies and launch new destinations to accommodate the market's needs."

 

About the Author

Orlando Consuegra has worked on the Cuba holiday industry from its very begining, initially as a Tour Guide for Saga and Kuoni, he travelled the island helping thousands of holiday makers to make the most for their holiday in Cuba.

Praised by many as one of the best tour guides in Cuba, both for his impeccable knowledge and his very correct manners, Orlando got promoted to Guides Coordinator in the Cubanacan Travel Agency. During this period Orlando helped organise fam trips for European tour operators as part of the insertion of Cuba in the world's holiday industry.

Promoted again as General Supervisor of The Holiday Place in Cuba, Orlando helped build very strong relationships with all the hotels in Cuba while enforcing a very high level of service and attention to all company's clients.

Orlando writes a blog "Know Cuba holidays like Us" at The Cuba Experience website where he shares his deep knowledge in Cuba and its holiday industry.

Etihad Airways' September Promotion Offers Discounted 2012 Holidays

Abu Dhabi's national airline, Etihad Airways is offering some fantastic deals on flights to destinations across the world as it prepares for its 2012 season.

Travellers planning their Abu Dhabi holidays for next year will be able to take advantage of Abu Dhabi flights for just £385 return, giving them more spending money for luxury Abu Dhabi hotels, attractions, restaurants and sightseeing.

Abu Dhabi offers a vibrant experience for holidaymakers and business travellers. During visits to the city, tourists can explore the sites and attractions such as the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, the Corniche waterfront with its golden sandy beaches and backdrop of the city, the Marina Shopping Mall, Khalifa Park, and Yas Island which is home to the Formula One Grand Prix racing track.

The airline is offering a selection of fantastic deals for luxury holidays in 2012 including return flights to Shanghai in February starting from £509, Bangkok from £525, and Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane from £749.

Prices are inclusive of taxes and charges and bookings must be made by 30th September, 2011 with flights to Abu Dhabi departing from London Heathrow Airport or Manchester Airport.

The reduced flights allow travellers to visit some of the world's most luxurious destinations for a fraction of the usual price.

Etihad Airways specialises in providing flights to destination across the United Arab Emirates, Asia, Africa, North America and Europe and is a popular choice for travellers taking Abu Dhabi flights and trips to the Middle East.

Passengers taking flights aboard the airline's fleet of aircraft can relax in comfortable cabins comprising the Diamond Zone (First Class), Pearl Zone (Business Class), and Coral Zone (Economy Class).

The September sale offers flights in the Coral Zone where passengers will be able to enjoy 33-inch seats with head rests and foot rests, a 10.7-inch personal LCD screen, and an evolutionary mood lighting system for ultimate relaxation during the journey.

Based in the United Arab Emirates' fascinating capital of Abu Dhabi, the airline has been operating since 2003 and now provides flights to 66 holiday destinations in 43 countries across the world. Etihad Airways was honoured as the World's Leading Airline in 2009 and 2010 at the World Travel Awards and the carrier is the official sponsor of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

 

About the Author

Orlando Consuegra has worked on the Cuba holiday industry from its very begining, initially as a Tour Guide for Saga and Kuoni, he travelled the island helping thousands of holiday makers to make the most for their holiday in Cuba.

Praised by many as one of the best tour guides in Cuba, both for his impeccable knowledge and his very correct manners, Orlando got promoted to Guides Coordinator in the Cubanacan Travel Agency. During this period Orlando helped organise fam trips for European tour operators as part of the insertion of Cuba in the world's holiday industry.

Promoted again as General Supervisor of The Holiday Place in Cuba, Orlando helped build very strong relationships with all the hotels in Cuba while enforcing a very high level of service and attention to all company's clients.

Orlando writes a blog "Know Cuba holidays like Us" at The Cuba Experience website where he shares his deep knowledge in Cuba and its holiday industry.

Abu Dhabi Holidays – An Incredible Experience

Perennial sunshine, pristine beaches, impressive sand dunes and a vivacious cosmopolitan lifestyle await every holidaymaker in Abu Dhabi. All this combined with the unparallel Arabian hospitality and top-notch infrastructure makes the capital of UAE a delightful destination for experienced and novice travellers!

Ritzy high-rises, broad boulevards, awe-inspiring apartment buildings and spectacular shopping centres are the hallmarks of this wealth city. But the city's fascinating culture and intriguing heritage pierces all the glitz and glamour, reaches the guest and overwhelms them. A holiday to Abu Dhabi is an experience that is sure to linger on with you as long as you live!

Popular Attractions in Abu Dhabi

Thanks to its amazing past and a present that is rich in vivacity and enthusiasm – Abu Dhabi presents its visitors an array of places to be explored, events to be experienced, culture to be acquainted with and natural attractions to adore.

Heritage Village

Located in the centre of the scintillating Abu Dhabi, Heritage Village is a wonderfully designed museum that offers a peep into the region's glorious past. Visitors to the museum can explore local Bedouin tradition and lifestyle that has been the part of the region for long. Heritage Village exhibits tents, courtyard houses and an ancient irrigation system that is just incredible. Visitors can also buy authentic pottery and exotic spices at the souvenir shops that are available here.

Khalifa Park

For relaxation, fun and entertainment visit the Khalifa Park – a popular attraction that is as alluring to the locals as it is to the foreign visitors on Abu Dhabi holidays. Located very near to the Abu Dhabi's old airport, Khalifa Park has a lot to offer to all kinds of visitors! The park's features include a beautifully landscaped grand avenue, central plaza for meeting, maritime museum, time tunnel ride, an amphitheatre, party hall and theme park. Visitors can also take a trip to a wonderful mosque.

Khalifa Park Museum

A visit to the Khalifa Park Museum is like taking an interesting lesson on the history and culture of Abu Dhabi! The museum takes the travellers back to the prehistoric times and acquaints them with the intriguing aspects of emirates' past. The Time Tunnel ride is perhaps the biggest highlight of this museum that offers a rail journey through all the sights, sounds and smells of the past.

The Emirates Palace Hotel

Emirates Palace Hotel is a majestic landmark and is one of the most popular hotels in Abu Dhabi. This scintillating Abu Dhabi hotel is the venue for many of the city's cultural activities. The Emirates Palace Hotel also welcomes non-residents to come and explore the hotel's environs.

Sheikh Zayed Mosque

One of the largest mosques in the world, Sheikh Zayed Mosque is a one Abu Dhabi attraction that has been beguiling holidaymakers from all over the world. Also known as the Grand Mosque (no surprise there!), the mosque is named after Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan who was the founder and the first President of the United Arab Emirates. The mosque is currently under renovation and once done it is expected to hold up to around 10,000 worshippers.

The Corniche

The scenic area of the city is pretty popular among travellers as it boasts of fantastic fountains, park-lined coastal boulevard that skirts the city and contemporary buildings that speak of the region's chic modernity. The Corniche Park is a perfect spot for some fishing and bird watching. No wonder, heaps of European tourists descend upon the area to engage in such leisure pursuits!

About the Author

For more details about Abu Dhabi Hotels, abu dhabi holidays visit our site :- http://www.awayholidays.co.uk/uae/abu-dhabi/