Pacing with the great growth of Dubai marine tourism industry and as part of the joint government action and the consistent coordination with Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), Dubai Customs established an advanced office at the new cruise terminal in Port Rashid.
The new cruise terminal, a major hub for other cruise operators, was opened by the Dubai Crown Prince, Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
The new terminal is expected to host tens of cruise ships annually and hundreds of thousand of passengers arriving from different parts of the world.
The opening of customs new office comes as part of Dubai Customs keenness on presence at all Dubai’s sea, air and land ports, a move aiming at facilitating traffic of passengers arriving in the country.
Dubai Customs presence at such new terminal is not restricted to relocating state-of-the-art systems and equipment for passengers, baggage, goods and other products transactional processing but extends to include providing best inspectors enjoying higher professional competency and personal abilities reflecting the civilized visage of UAE.
The new cruise terminal is one of the Middle East’s biggest and most advanced cruise terminal facilities capable of receiving 4 ships in a day.
The terminal is expected to help increasing the capacity of cruise tourists to Dubai, who accounted for 260.000 passengers last year and expected to increase this year to 325 passengers.
The Senior Manager of Passengers Operations at Dubai Customs, Mr. Ali Al Maqhawi said, “Dubai Customs is delighted to be present in such place, which reflects the emirate’s civilized visage and hosts cruise tourists from all over the world who wish to visit and learn about the Dubai’s tourist landmarks, heritage, norms and traditions in particular and the UAE in general. Dubai Customs has therefore doubled its interest in such terminal.”
“Cruise tourists would convey to their families, friends and colleagues their personal impression towards the countries they visit. Whenever such impression found to be positive, the respective country would gain further good reputation and greater turn out,” he added.
Dubai Customs has provided to such important customs office, a national cadre of best male and female inspectors properly qualified and trained on how to deal with visitors and tourist in a manner that will reflect the well known hospitality of the UAE. They have attended intensive training on modern inspection equipments use as well.
Dubai Customs was keen on supplying the new terminal with state of the art equipment capable of swiftly and accurately finalizing passengers processing.
Two large sized baggage inspection systems and other 4 handbags inspection systems have been placed inside the arrival and departure terminals including a dedicated passengers` relations office for receiving passengers’ comments and fostering their needs.
Underlining the existing cooperation between Dubai Customs and DCTM, Al Maqhawi lauded the efforts by DTCM in respect to promoting Dubai worldwide and keenness on attracting the greatest number of tourists as part of the UAE`s tourist diversity.
Dubai Customs is working towards providing the necessary facilities and manpower for facilitating tourists clearing processes through a series of services including swift exit and entry procedures in line with the organization strategy relative to facilitation and compliance.
A special treatment for old and special needs people is available as well in a way realizing quick entry and exit through the cruise terminal.
Passengers and baggage inspection is accompanied with a good treatment for all arrivals in a manner reflecting UAE people hospitality.
Dubai Customs is also present at Jebel Ali passengers terminal, which was opened in August last year and Port Rashid passengers’ terminal and both are for passengers arriving in Dubai by sea.