Dubai’s Mina Rashid retains spot

DP World's Mina Rashid port has successfully defended its title as the World's Leading Cruise Port, for the seventh consecutive year, at the prestigious World Travel Awards 2014.
As the opening of the ultra-modern third cruise terminal was inaugurated by its namesake, HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, over 300 top decision makers in global travel and tourism were gathering at the 21st World Travel Awards celebration hosted in Anguilla.
Mina Rashid, now home to the "Hamdan bin Mohammed Cruise Terminal", the world's largest single cruise facility, has been voted the World's Leading Cruise Port, winning against some of the finest cruise port operators from around the globe, including Jamaica, Rio de Janeiro, South Africa, Mexico, Seychelles, USA, Portugal and Singapore.
Welcoming the honour, Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman of DP World, said: "Mina Rashid began life as the region's first modern container port more than 40 years ago, and its success story continues as the world's best cruise terminal today. The opening of the Hamdan bin Mohammed Cruise Terminal will further strengthen Dubai's position as a global city and one of the premier international cruise hubs.
"DP World is honoured to receive this recognition for the seventh year in a row. We are also pleased that the award has come as Mina Rashid completed and opened its new facility.
Hamdan bin Mohammed Cruise Terminal is named after HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, in appreciation of his vital role in preserving the legacy of Dubai and our nation's heritage in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to make Dubai and the UAE a centre for tourism." Bin Sulayem, added: "DP World is committed to the continuous development of Mina Rashid to maintain its leading position in the future and to cater for expected demand. Dubai's ambition is to attract 20 million tourists a year by 2020, the year in which we will host the World Expo, with the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) anticipating cruise tourist numbers reaching the one-million mark by that time." The 28,000 square metre Hamdan bin Mohammed Cruise Terminal is capable of welcoming 14,000 cruise passengers a day, enabling Mina Rashid to handle up to seven cruise vessels at one time and more than 25,000 passengers in its three cruise terminals.
The new terminal offers visitors world class services and efficient customs and handling facilities with streamlined immigration and entry procedures coordinated by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs. Features include duty-free outlets, shops, currency exchange, ATM machines and a VIP business centre. It also provides office facilities to related organisations including the police, customs, immigration, shipping agents and airlines.
As well as Mina Rashid, DP World also developed and operates South America's largest and most modern cruise terminal, Quinquela Martin in Buenos Aires, Argentina, located in its Terminales Rio de la Plata (TRP).
Source: WAM