DP World-operated Mina Rashid in Dubai DP World-operated Mina Rashid in Dubai was voted the World's Leading Cruise Port for the sixth consecutive year at the prestigious World Travel Awards (WTA) 2013. The Award, acknowledged as the ultimate travel industry accolade, was received on behalf of DP World by Mohammed Al Mannaei, Director of Mina Rashid, during WTA's 20th Anniversary celebrations and Grand Final Gala Ceremony in Doha, Qatar, early this month, in the presence of industry luminaries and top decision makers in global travel and tourism.
Mina Rashid, which began life as the region's first modern container port more than 40 years ago, competed and won against cruise ports from around the world, including Singapore, the Seychelles, Turkey, Mexico, Jamaica, Brazil, South Africa and the United States.
Welcoming the honour, Mohammed Al Muallem, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, DP World, UAE Region, said, "DP World is honoured to receive this recognition, which we won against some of the finest cruise port operators. We are also pleased that the Award has come as Mina Rashid is preparing to complete Phase 1 of the Dubai Cruise Terminal's ultra-luxury new facility in the coming weeks.
"DP World is committed to the continuous development of Mina Rashid to ensure its leading position in the region and the world. We take this opportunity to thank World Travel Awards for the honour and congratulate them on completing 20 wonderful years in the service of our industry." Mohammed Al Mannaei, Director of Mina Rashid, DP World, UAE Region, said, "We share our win with our strategic partner in promoting cruise tourism in Dubai, the Department of Tourism '&' Commerce Marketing (DTCM), who, along with other departments in Dubai, plays a critical role in the success of our cruise port. With its existing and new cruise terminals, Mina Rashid will help Dubai tap into the rapidly growing cruise tourism market and continue to be a destination of choice for the finest cruise ships in the world." Mina Rashid's new facility is designed to handle 7,000 cruise passengers simultaneously, with a seating capacity of over 2,000. When completed, Dubai Cruise Terminal will be capable of serving 14,000 passengers simultaneously.
The expanded new facility will cover an area of 24,000 square metres, and around 50,000 square metres car parking space, with provision for 150 taxi cars, 36 buses, 52 cars for desert safari operators, 100 parking bays for employees and 100 for private cars.
In addition to 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.
Source: WAM