Sharjah's investment in cruise tourism follows similar initiatives by Abu Dhabi and Dubai and is an enormously positive move for the burgeoning tourism industry. As The National reported over the weekend, 36 international ships are expected to dock in Sharjah this season, bringing 80,000 visitors to the emirate, which was declared one of the 2014 Capitals of Islamic Culture.
We are already considered a hub country when it comes to the air. Now, we could make significant forays into the sea tourism market as well. There is every indication that has already begun. Dubai recently opened the largest covered cruise facility in the world, with the capacity to host five ships simultaneously, and it hopes to attract 1 million passengers a year by 2020. Abu Dhabi aims to open a terminal that can host three ships simultaneously in 2016. And now, Sharjah is riding the cruise wave as well.
