MSC cruises to homeport in Abu Dhabi

MSC Cruises has signed an agreement with Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) to deploy one of its vessels to the UAE capital on a homeport basis from October 2011.

Under the terms of the agreement, Abu Dhabi’s Mina Zayed Port will serve as the primary embarkation and disembarkation point for the Italian operator’s maiden regional itinerary – scheduled for the 2011-2012 season – using its luxury MSC Lirica liner.

MSC Lirica – a 59,000-ton vessel with a capacity for 2,199 guests in 784 cabins will provide 19 eight-day/seven-night cruises covering five destinations between November 2011 and March 2012.

Abu Dhabi’s elevation from port-of-call to homeport status provides a major boost to its nascent cruise tourism sector said Mubarak Al Muhairi, director general, ADTA. “MSC Cruises’ commitment to Abu Dhabi as a homeport will deliver both tactical and strategic outcomes for the emirate. Beyond the substantial, broad-based benefits to our domestic tourism sector through incremental gains in hotel guests, longer length of stay and greater spending, this partnership provides Abu Dhabi a firm footing on the international cruise tourism map and reinforces the strategic case for a world-class, purpose-built cruise terminal in the emirate," he said.

Pierfrancesco Vago, CEO, MSC Cruises added: “MSC Cruises is proud to become the first cruise company to choose Abu Dhabi as a homeport. “With MSC Lirica operating 95 calls and rotations in the region, our presence will have a significant impact on Abu Dhabi’s tourism industry.”

ADTA estimates that the decision to homeport MSC Lirica in Abu Dhabi will generate in excess of US $37 million per season in nett economic impact.

Vago added: “We see Abu Dhabi as an exciting cruise destination which has already proved immensely popular with international tourists. MSC Cruises will be an important catalyst in driving growth in cruise tourism in the region. After having discovered the UAE and its exciting attractions from our luxury ship, visitors will come back, as they always do, further boosting the development and promotion of the local economy.”