Al Dhafra (WAM)
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, representative of the ruler in the Al Dhafra region, inaugurated the new cruise berth at Sir Bani Yas Beach for cruise ships affiliated with Abu Dhabi Ports Group. The beach developed by Abu Dhabi Ports Group is the first and only of its kind in the region dedicated to tourist cruises. From leisure and adventure facilities to its goers. The new berth will increase the number of visitors to Sir Bani Yas Island, reduce the time required to board and disembark ships, and improve the cruise passengers experience.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Ahmed Matar Al Dhaheri, Director of the Office of His Highness the Ruler’s Representative in the Al Dhafra region, Saud Abdul Aziz Al Hosani, Undersecretary of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, Issa Hamad Boushehab, Advisor to His Highness the President of the Emirates Red Crescent Authority, and Nasser Mohammed Matar Al Mansouri, Acting Undersecretary of the Court of the Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region. Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamsi, Managing Director and CEO of Abu Dhabi Ports Group, Noura Al Dhaheri, General Manager of Cruise Business at Abu Dhabi Ports Group, and a number of senior officials.
At the beginning of the celebration, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan heard from Captain Mohammed Juma Al Shamsi and Noura Al Dhaheri an explanation of the services provided by the new berth, which includes eight mooring berths, firefighting equipment and solar-powered lighting systems. It can receive two ships at the same time, enabling more than 5000 passengers were able to complete the procedures for boarding and disembarking the ships quickly and smoothly, after the ships were anchored one kilometer from Sir Bani Yas Island, to transport passengers by small ferries to and from the shore. His Highness then rang the bell to mark the official inauguration of the pier.
His Highness also inspected the ship “MCS Virtusosa” anchored at Sir Bani Yas Beach for cruise ships as part of its regular tourist trips in the Arabian Gulf, during which he was briefed on the services and facilities available to travelers.
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan affirmed that the Al Dhafra region continues to work towards strengthening its position in the tourism sector at the state level, with the support of infrastructure and tourism projects that seek to meet the requirements of the existing development in the tourism work system in the region, which thus contributes to stimulating The tourism and entertainment sectors.
His Highness noted the importance of these projects and their impact on various sectors, especially the private sector, which is of great importance in supporting construction and development operations at the level of the Al Dhafra region and building new opportunities in this context.
His Highness said: “The inauguration of the new berth in Sir Bani Yas is a great achievement on the path of the ambitious plans to develop the Al Dhafra region, in line with the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision and Al Dhafra 2030 Plan, and also enhances economic diversification efforts, which is one of the main components of the long-term road map for the development of the emirate.” .
His Highness praised the efforts of the Abu Dhabi Ports Group in developing a world-class tourism and entertainment infrastructure, which constitutes an important tributary of the tourism sector in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, and consolidates the distinguished position of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and places it among the leading global tourist destinations.
His Highness said in a tweet on Twitter yesterday: “We inaugurated the cruise pier at Sir Bani Yas Beach for cruise ships affiliated to Abu Dhabi Ports Group, a new project and an important step that will contribute to revitalizing the tourism and economic movement in the Al Dhafra region, and enhancing Abu Dhabi’s position on the map of most marine tourism destinations. The most distinguished and fastest growing in the world.” After the resumption of the 2021/2022 cruise season, the Emirate of Abu Dhabi opened its doors to visitors and travelers from all over the world.
Economic diversification
His Excellency Falah Mohammed Al Ahbabi, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Ports Group, said: “We are proud to honor His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the inauguration ceremony of the new cruise ship berth at Sir Bani Yas Beach for cruise ships, and we would like to express our great gratitude for His Highness’s continued support and great contributions to the operations of Al Dhafra region development.
He added that the tourism sector – and tourism trips in particular – constitute a cornerstone in the process of economic diversification and the process of sustainable development because of their significant and tangible effects on local and regional economies, and there is no doubt that the establishment and development of such advanced facilities will enable us to receive more visitors at the beach. Sir Bani Yas cruise ships, and to provide a unique and distinct experience for the guests of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, which contributes to introducing visitors from different countries of the world to the Emirate and the Al Dhafra region, and today we are witnessing a great step on the way to achieving our strategy in establishing the emirate’s position as a leading global center for tourism trips.”
Project support
Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamsi, Managing Director and CEO of Abu Dhabi Ports Group, said: “The Abu Dhabi Ports Group is keen to continue supporting marine, logistical and tourism development projects in the United Arab Emirates and throughout the region, based on our awareness of the importance of these strategic investments for the economy and society. Sir Bani Yas Beach for cruise ships as a sustainable tourism destination enhances our efforts to support the vision of the rational leadership.” He added: “The volume of the global tourism sector before the outbreak of the “Covid-19” pandemic in 2019 amounted to about 150 billion US dollars in direct and indirect revenues, and we are certain that, thanks to the strong path of economic recovery, it will be able to cross that threshold, and we are working diligently to ensure the leadership of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in this sector.”
very popular
Commenting on the opening of Sir Bani Yas Beach Pier, Pierfrancesco Fago, Executive Chairman – MMC Cruises Business, said: S. C: “We are pleased with the opening of the new berth at Sir Bani Yas Beach for cruise ships, which is an important project that helps raise the efficiency of operations in this tourist destination, which is very popular for our trips in the Gulf region.”
He added: “The Abu Dhabi Ports Group’s commitment to establishing advanced tourism facilities contributes to supporting cruise activities and significantly advancing the growth of our sector. MCS looks forward to strengthening its regional presence in the Arabian Gulf region and consolidating its position by providing the latest cruise ships in this market.” Which is of strategic importance within the company’s expansion and international growth plans.”
It is noteworthy that Sir Bani Yas Beach for cruise ships, located in the Al Dhafra region in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, is a gateway to one of the most beautiful nature reserves available to the public, Sir Bani Yas Island, which is rich in Emirati heritage sites and stunning natural wonders. The island offers a unique experience to visitors, and therefore has always been the focus of the attention of the Abu Dhabi Ports Group, which was keen to develop it.