CRUISE LINES

Conference to discuss Gulf cruise hub concept
30/7/2006
Internationally tried and tested cruise hub know-how will be in focus at a major industry gathering in Dubai later this year.
The concept will be outlined by Gulf Agency Company (GAC) Dubai, a pioneer of Arabian Gulf cruise agency business, which believes its strategy can successfully attract top cruise lines to the region.
“By establishing a cruise hub concept in the region, we can encourage the growth of the industry among operators within the Gulf, India, Sri Lanka and parts of Asia Pacific, such as Myanmar and Indonesia,” said Shashi Nair, senior manager, Shipping Services, GAC.
The concept will be unveiled at Seatrade Middle East Maritime (SMEM) – the region’s premier event for the maritime industry which features a special cruise conference. Representatives of more than 15 major cruise lines will be at SMEM to probe the major issues impacting the region’s burgeoning cruise sector.
“The conference will be agenda-setting and will touch on key requirements for the regional industry,” said Chris Hayman, managing director, Seatrade – the international maritime publisher and events organiser behind SMEM.