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Dubai emerges as popular cruise destination for European tourists
Lara Lynn Golden, News Editor
June 6, 2006

An increased demand in tourism interest from European and Far Eastern visitors will soon see a greater number of cruise ships transiting through Dubai.

Pointing this out, a senior official of SNTTA Emir Tours, a member of the Dubai based Liberty Investment Company, said that world-class facilities, liberal environment and a diversity of attractions have all helped in positioning Dubai in the European market as a leading port of call for major cruise liners operating out of Europe.

'Tourists are extremely keen about enhancing their cruise ship experience by seeking destinations that are exceptionally safe, warm & friendly and offer a good mix of culture and heritage,' explained Jyoti Panchmatia, General Manager of SNTTA Emir Tours. 'Dubai has all those elements and more. At the same time, it offers a blend of modernity and tradition, making it an exotic destination for international travelers.'

SNTTA Emir Tours works closely with the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) and major cruise operators to strengthen Dubai's stature as a popular tourism alternative for European and Far Eastern visitors. This week, SNTTA Emir Tours hosted the MS Europa, a well-known German luxury cruise liner, which called at the Dubai Cruise Terminal with over 300 travelers. MS Europa is the only cruise liner to be awarded the coveted 5 star plus distinction for six years in a row from 2001 to 2006 by the Berlitz Cruise Guide.

Panchmatia added that SNTTA Emir Tours catered to over 1,100 European visitors last year and that figure is expected to grow by 40 percent this year. According to DTCM estimates for 2005, 12,000 visitors arrived at the Dubai Cruise Terminal last year, making it the biggest port of call for international cruise ships in the Middle East.

'As the cruise travel industry continues to expand and innovate, Dubai has shaped up into an impressive cruise destination,' Panchmatia added. 'Traditionally, October to May is the busy season for this region's cruise travel sector and we are confident that many more international players will soon include this important region to their itineraries.'

She pointed out that the increasing popularity of Dubai has led local companies to develop a comprehensive program of activities that showcase the region's fascinating contrasts, especially where age-old traditional values blend seamlessly with its modern, multi-cultural environment.

Sebastian Ahrens, Managing Director of Hapag-Lloyd Kreuzfahrten, which operates the MS Europa, explained that Dubai's connectivity to the region and the rest of the world made it an attractive option for travelers worldwide. In view of Dubai's growing profile, destination management companies operating in the region will have to gear up to the challenge of ensuring that they continue to offer world-class service and amenities to visitors.

'Most European tourists visiting Dubai have heard about this emirate and marvel at the boldness with which the projects have been carried out,' Ahrens pointed out. 'In this respect, Dubai has done well to launch imaginative concepts and market them professionally to European audiences. This visionary approach has positioned Dubai as the market leader that sets the benchmark in the leisure industry.'

Ahrens revealed that Dubai's popularity as a cruise destination was in turn boosting the tourism infrastructure in Gulf countries such as Oman and Bahrain. 'Once known only as an important trading port, Dubai is now an international holiday and leisure destination,' he added. 'There is always something for everyone here.'

AME Info

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See also:

Dubai to boost cruise ship arrivals

******

Cheers

[ 06-06-2006: Message edited by: bulbousbow ]

UAE court orders man to be stoned to death for adultery

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FUJAIRAH - The Fujairah Shariah Court yesterday ordered Shahin Abdull Rahman to be stoned to death and Asmaa Bikham Bijam to serve one year in jail along with 100 lashes, following their conviction of adultery. She was not sentenced to death since she is still single.
02 The case dated back to last April when a national knew of his maid’s illicit sexual affair with one of her compatriots, who used to sneak to her room every day and practised adultery with her till the early hours of the morning.
03 The national kept an eye on the maid. He one day pretended to go to sleep and saw her opening the back door to a stranger, who sneaked to her room. He immediately called the police, who rushed to the maid’s room, and found the accused naked in bed.
04 The man admitted to being married and unable to bring his wife who stayed home with his children, and added that he met the maid in a market, and repetitively practised adultery with her since then. He was referred to the court, which ordered him to be stoned to death, and the maid to be imprisoned for one year and given 100 lashes.

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[ 06-13-2006: Message edited by: desirod7 ]

This has no effect on non-muslims.

If I thought to hard about it, I could think of a 'moral' arguement not to visit anywhere. However, I prefer to go, to learn and try to understand different cultures.

Everyone tells me 'Dubai' is an amazing place.

[ 06-13-2006: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

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Originally posted by desirod7:
Not so fast

UAE court orders man to be stoned to death for adultery

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In the USA the Constitution prohibits Cruel and Unusual punishment.

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Originally posted by Globaliser:
Doesn't stop people going to the US, so why should it stop people going to the UAE - or, more particularly, Dubai amongst the UAE?

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Many parts of the world (including the so called first world) have practices that I do not approve of. For example I may not approve of 'death row' (USA), 'Fox Hunting (UK -which still goes on) and eating Whale meat (Japan) etc.

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Does it? Some people regard Camp X-Ray as 'cruel and unusual'.

I do abhor whale hunting, but lashing for nookie is far greater of a crime.

Yes in our culture adultery is not considered so serious, but that's our culture. Although I cannot condone their punishment, I do think that the west is 'soft' on many forms of crime.

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Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:
[QUOTE]Yes in our culture adultery is not considered so serious, but that's our culture. Although I cannot condone their punishment, I do think that the west is 'soft' on many forms of crime.
I wish our law would chop of a few thief’s hands!

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Meanwhile

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[b]United Arab Emirates bans "Brokeback"
Gay.com U.K.
Thursday, February 9, 2006 / 10:13 AM
SUMMARY: "Brokeback Mountain" will not be seen by moviegoers in the United Arab Emirates, after the country's government banned the film.

Despite winning even more awards in London Wednesday, "Brokeback Mountain" will not be seen by moviegoers in the United Arab Emirates, after the country's government banned the film.

Following a lead set by China last month, the UAE said the ban was an attempt to protect its citizens from "offensive, abnormal behaviors."

"The film will upset the people of this culture and tradition," said Dr. Abdullah Al Amiri, chairman of the Committee of Financial, Economical and Industrial Affairs of Sharjah Consultative Council.

"The portrayal of the sexual behavior of its main character is offensive to eastern societies, particularly Muslims and the Arabs since Islam forbids abnormal behaviors like homosexuality," he added, according to press reports.

The decision to bar the film was made by the country's Ministry of Culture and Information.

A ministry source told the Khaleej Times that it was allowed to bar the film because its depiction of gay men goes against the country's censors.

The move comes as the film won both the Best Film and Best Director awards at the London Film Critics' Circle Awards on Wednesday.

"'Brokeback Mountain' has all the ingredients of a classic love story, except that the lovers are two young ranch hands who in love one summer," the organization's chairman said. "Ang Lee has succeeded in presenting this highly controversial situation in an intelligent and sensitive fashion."

The accolades follow a series of awards and nominations, including eight nominations at this year's Oscars. The film is expected to be a big winner at the awards, which take place next month.

Despite having an acclaimed Taiwanese director and a growing list of awards, "Brokeback Mountain" will also not be screened in China because of its gay content.

The movie's "sensitive topic" of same-sex love makes it too controversial for theatrical release in the country, the Xinhua News Agency reported last month.

Additionally, some cinemas in conservative areas of the United States have pulled the film from their schedules, despite originally advertising it.

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Why do I want to give my tourist dollars to a country that violates the most basic human rights and tries to invalidate and de-legitamize my existance. Jamaica is also on my 'do not visit' list

[ 06-14-2006: Message edited by: desirod7 ]

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Originally posted by desirod7:
[QB]Why do I want to give my tourist dollars to a country that violates the most basic human rights and tries to invalidate and de-legitamize my existance. Jamaica is also on my 'do not visit' list
[QB]

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I see you point of view, but is it not a case that they cannot tolerate your lifestyle choice, but equally you do not tolerate theirs, either. So it’s a stalemate!

A few decades ago Russia was perceived by the west’s as the global enemy, now it’s the ‘middles east’. Things are not that simple.

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Originally posted by desirod7:
Dubai is part of the United Arab Emirates.

In the USA the Constitution prohibits Cruel and Unusual punishment.

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The method of execution, in some of the retentionist states, could be regarded as pretty barbaric in itself.

And what individuals suffer on death row, whether or not they are ultimately executed, is so bad that it is illegal for every European country to extradite people to the USA for capital offences unless the USA first gives a binding undertaking not to impose the death penalty.

So from this side of the world, criticism of visits to Dubai because of the death penalty being applied by a different UAE, when the USA itself continues to use the death penalty, smacks of the pot calling the kettle black.

[ 06-15-2006: Message edited by: Globaliser ]

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Originally posted by Globaliser:
So from this side of the world, criticism of visits to Dubai because of the death penalty being applied by a different UAE, when the USA itself continues to use the death penalty, smacks of the pot calling the kettle black.

[ 06-15-2006: Message edited by: Globaliser ]

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Originally posted by desirod7:

In the USA death penalty is for murder and not often used. In UAE it is for sodomy, and blasphemy which are not crimes. Globaliser: as a gay man you will have an easier time in the USA than UAE.

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Originally posted by desirod7:
In the USA death penalty is for murder and not often used. In UAE it is for sodomy, and blasphemy which are not crimes.

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The serious of a crime is determined by the countries culture. sodomy, and blasphemy may not be serious crimes from your cultural viewpoint, but they are in some parts if the world.

We all want people to respect our cultural viewpoint (which we belive is the right one) but we are often not prepared to accept other countries viewpoints.

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Originally posted by lasuvidaboy:
The USA is far from perfect but it is the best thing going-just ask the tens of millions who try to get here every year.

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Yes, there are millions that want the American Dream. We too in the UK have millions of immigrants.

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Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:

Yes, there are millions that want the American Dream. We too in the UK have millions of immigrants.

However there are large sections of the world that are not in love with the American way of life and see it as a war mongering nation which is a threat to their culture.

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Originally posted by desirod7:
In the USA death penalty is for murder and not often used. In UAE it is for sodomy, and blasphemy which are not crimes. Globaliser: as a gay man you will have an easier time in the USA than UAE.

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Nevertheless, I think you're missing the point: Both countries share a practice that I abhor. That practice wouldn't stop me from visiting either of them. And if someone from one of those countries says I'm not visiting the other because of that practice, I would regard that as hypocrisy.

The self-satisfied smugness of "We must be all right - and indeed must be a superior society to those rag-heads in the desert - because so many people want to come here" neither removes nor excuses that.

Moreover, as has been pointed out repeatedly, Dubai is not the UAE as a whole, and the UAE is not the Arabic world as a whole. The differences might repay close attention. In fact, a proper understanding of what Dubai is doing might provide some insights into why it would be better to support Dubai than to criticise it.

[ 06-18-2006: Message edited by: Globaliser ]

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Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:

Yes, there are millions that want the American Dream. We too in the UK have millions of immigrants.

However there are large sections of the world that are not in love with the American way of life and see it as a war mongering nation which is a threat to their culture.

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Malcolm,

59 million Americans were very stupid in November of 2004. Most Americans are not mongering war, just simply trying to make ends meet and take cruises on what is left over. I can say the same about the British and have 8 cousins who live in the London area.

On liners list a journalist was in Iran and mentioned most of the people there just want to make a living.

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Originally posted by desirod7:
Most Americans are not mongering war, just simply trying to make ends meet and take cruises on what is left over.[/b]

Of course, but some of the world does not see it that way.

[b]Fox News and CNN turn a media circus into the small but noisy minority that want to overthrow the West.

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Iberian Cruiser wrote:
I don´t really see any point in bringing this issue here. This is a cruising forum. Should we have to boycott all countries we don´t share any particular aspect, we would remain home all the time. The world is an imperfect place, but I am eager to visit it with it´s niceties and evilness. This is not an excuse but a pragmatical approach. Just my oppinion

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I agree. You are also free to visit or boycott these places if you wish.

******

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Originally posted by Iberian Cruiser:
I don´t really see any point in bringing this issue here.

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At times we do slip from maritime issues to politics, religion and sexual orientation. This is inevitable because we all live in the wider world. Cruising is part of that wider world.