Costa Cruises Sets Sights On Growth of Arab Market

Costa Cruises is strengthening its presence in Dubai to develop the Arab cruise market with onboard facilities specifically for Arab passengers and a new branch office in Dubai. Plans were announced jointly between Costa and the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) at a press conference aboard the Costa Deliziosa.

During the press conference, it was announced that the ships based in Dubai, Costa Deliziosa and Costa Luminosa, will offer Arab guests dedicated facilities. These include two prayer rooms for males and females, regional and Arabic food and drinks, menus and signs on board in Arabic, Arab-speaking shipboard frontline staff, as well as Arabic TV and radio channels.

In addition, it was announced that a new representative office will open in Dubai, the Arabian Gulf’s business and tourism hub. United Arab Emirates is thus set to become the 17th country to have a Costa branch office. The Italian company will be represented in the UAE by Al Ketby Consultancy. The Italian company will target mainly families, couples and honeymooners from both the local and expatriate communities.

To foster the growth of the Arab market, Costa has organized shipboard visits for local travel agents and potential customers such as government representatives and the expatriate community. Gulf travel agencies will soon receive a brochure featuring the itineraries in the region.

Costa Luminosa and Costa Deliziosa, both 92,600 tons with capacity for 2,260 passengers, operate seven-night cruises calling on Muscat, Oman; Fujairah, Abu Dhabi; and Bahrain. The Costa Luminosa started its Dubai season on Dec. 12 and concluded on April 10. The Costa Deliziosa, which began her season on March 14 after her inauguration on Feb. 23, will complete the season on May 9. In addition, the Costa Europa offered eight 18-night cruises from Savona to Dubai and Dubai to Savona.

Costa’s ships recorded approximately 140,000 passenger movements in Dubai for winter 2009-10, up 40 percent compared to 2008-09. This traffic generated revenue for the local economy estimated at approximately 14 million euros in 2009-10, derived from direct spending by Costa’s guests, shoreside excursions, transportation, port fees and expenditure on food and beverage.

In winter 2010-2011, a further increase is forecast with 31 port calls and 150,000 passenger movements. The Costa Luminosa will depart on Mondays from Nov. 29 through March 21; the Costa Deliziosa every Sunday from Dec. 19 through April 10.