The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) has announced that some 261,000cruise tourists are predicted to visit the emirate during 2009; nearly a 25 per cent increase over last year. In 2010, Dubai is expected to host 99 ships with over 383,000 passengers with the burgeoning cruise industry set to grow further as the new Dubai Cruise Terminal becomes fully operational.

The new Dubai Cruise Terminal has been built to cater for increased number of ships and passengers. It is the only cruise terminal in the world operated by a government department of tourism which means it can provide extra attention to every visitor and enhance the experience including certified tour guides and a swift entry system with no visa issues for visitors, according to the DTCM.

The new terminal spans an area of 3,450 square metres and is designed to handle more than three to four ships simultaneously.

The terminal will have a tourist support infrastructure which includes facilities like money exchange, ATM machine, post office, duty free shop, souvenir shops, gift shops, and business center with free Internet access, Wi-Fi for lap top users, and toilets with access for physically challenged.