[جتستّرسبلوغ]

طاقم بحّارة يراد ل 600 قبل المسيح يبحر بعث

Phoenicia Fact Sheet The search is on for keen sailors to take part in an ambitious expedition which aims to recreate the first circumnavigation of Africa believed to have been completed by Phoenician mariners almost 3,000 years ago.

The Phoenician Ship Expedition will set sail this summer from the ancient Syrian port of Arwad, which is where the 70 ft replica vessel is being built.

Led by Philip Beale who successfully headed the Borobudur expedition in 2003-04 sailing a replica 8th century Indonesian trading vessel from Indonesia to West Africa, this latest venture is more ambitious and will see the ship cover 17,000 miles over 12 months before she arrives in London.

“You don’t have to be Ellen MacArthur to take part in this project, although she’d be most welcome. We’re looking for people who have a sense of adventure and curiosity to be part of a small team in what will inevitably be challenging circumstances. We want a multination crew and obviously not everyone can take so long away from work and family commitments so we’d welcome applications from people who could come for part of the voyage” said Beale.

The Phoenicia team are in need of specialist skills such as medical, culinary, IT and photographic expertise as well as experienced and novice sailors. Applications forms are available to down load from the projects website www.phoenicia.org.uk

ALICIA KEYS AFRICA DOCUMENTARY online

AVAILABLE FOR EXCLUSIVE DOWNLOAD ON SPIRALFROG

SpiralFrog was selected by the non-profit organization, Keep a Child Alive (KCA), to be the exclusive download partner for the documentary of Alicia Keys’ month-long journey through Africa.

NEW YORK, NY, - SpiralFrog, Inc., (www.spiralfrog.com) the free and legal, ad-supported web-based music service, today announced it was selected by the non-profit organization, Keep a Child Alive (KCA), to be the exclusive download partner for “Alicia in Africa: Journey to the Motherland,” the documentary of Grammy Award-winning musician and Keep a Child Alive (KCA) Co-Founder, Alicia Keys’, month-long trip to Africa to visit communities affected by HIV and AIDS.

Keep a Child Alive is the non-profit organization that engages the public for a-dollar-a-day to buy the life-saving anti-retroviral drugs that keep children and their families alive in Africa. Alicia’s commitment to the fight against AIDS is contagious and she is leading the effort to spread the message of KCA, “Start a Virus to Stop a Virus,” virally, so she has selected a number of prestigious interactive media partners to help get the message out. Running April 9 - May 19, the full-length film will be available for download exclusively at SpiralFrog.com with information provided and donations accepted at www.AliciainAfrica.com

“We are proud to support the efforts of Keep a Child Alive and Alicia Keys,” said Matthew Stern, vice president of marketing for SpiralFrog. “This is a powerful and important story to tell. We hope to help make a difference in the lives of the African children affected by AIDS by driving donations to AliciainAfrica.com.”

“We have received extraordinary support from the music and entertainment industries,” says Leigh Blake, founder of Keep a Child Alive. “We are incredibly grateful to those organizations and celebrities who demonstrate their support by helping us generate awareness and donations for the families and children battling this disease everyday.”

SpiralFrog is enlisting the help of its advertisers in further spreading awareness by creating turn-key, cross-platform sponsorship packages. The exclusive availability of ‘Alicia in Africa’ on SpiralFrog will include promotion on American Idol on April 9th, advance screenings of the documentary on college campuses, viral marketing and an email marketing campaign that will reach over 20 million people. Additionally, Alicia Keys will also be embarking on her US tour in more than 30 cities to let Americans know where to find the film and how they can help. SpiralFrog will be promoting the exclusive availability to download the film on the ground at each of these events.

“Supporting artist initiatives and organizations like Keep a Child Alive is important to us,” said Joe Mohen, chairman and founder of SpiralFrog. “Our members are active and aware and want to know what is happening in the world. This is a serious issue and we are proud to play a part in spreading the word and opening the eyes of many who may not know how devastating the impact of AIDS is in Africa.”

“Keep a Child Alive is an amazing charity and we applaud every effort they make in helping to change the world,” said Mel Schrieberg, CEO of SpiralFrog. “Alicia Keys’ efforts with the organization are noble and extraordinary. We hope to help their efforts by offering this film to watch again and again, and motivate active support.”

When downloaded from SpiralFrog, “Alicia in Africa” will play on multiple formats, including PCs and Macs.

About SpiralFrog

Headquartered in New York, SpiralFrog (www.spiralfrog.com) is a Web-based advertising-supported music experience that combines music discovery tools with free and legal downloads of audio and video content licensed directly from the catalogs of the world’s leading music owners. With more than 2.6 million monthly uniques, over 900,000 registered users, 1.1 million songs and 4,000 music videos, SpiralFrog offers music-lovers a compelling alternative to illicit file-sharing and pirate sites, with a secure environment for them to satisfy their unyielding passion and thirst for music and entertainment information at no cost.

About Keep a Child Alive

Keep a Child Alive is a charitable and educational foundation committed to accelerating action to combat the global AIDS pandemic. With more than 28 million dead and 15 million orphaned, the disease continues, wiping out whole societies, threatening economic infrastructures and creating tragic family devastation. KCA provides life-saving medication, social support, and orphan care, to keep these children and families alive. KCA also develops global awareness campaigns targeted at boosting funding for the fight against HIV/AIDS. For just a dollar a day, you can help save the life of a child or a parent who cannot afford essential treatment and care in some of the world’s poorest countries. http://www.keepachildalive.org

Africa Adventure Consultants a Safari Leader

Boutique Safari Operator Now Offering Carbon Neutral Travel

BOULDER/ DENVER, CO - Africa Adventure Consultants continues to lead the industry with innovative safari design, and now they are pleased to announce the launch of a comprehensive effort to reduce carbon emissions as well. Africa Adventure Consultants has joined forces with Sustainable Travel International (STI) on its pioneering TravelGreen™ program, which allows Africa Adventure Consultants to offer carbon neutral safaris to travelers. Africa Adventure Consultants is STI’s first African safari operator partner implementing a sophisticated program that offers carbon offsets on every safari the company sells.

“Carbon neutral” means the point at which greenhouse gas emissions have been identified, measured, reduced where possible, and 100% of the remaining emissions have been offset through high quality renewable energy or energy efficiency projects. Total greenhouse gas emissions are a factor of the air travel to get to Africa as well as the style of safari people enjoy. Sustainable Travel International assists in determining the total greenhouse gas emission per traveler, and Africa Adventure Consultants then absorbs 50% of that amount and provides the option for the traveler to offset the remaining 50%.

“We’ve found that our clients not only appreciate our initiative to protect and preserve the delicate ecosystems of Africa, but appreciate being given the voluntary opportunity to contribute directly as well.” said Kent Redding, President of Africa Adventure Consultants. “Earlier this year we worked to make our Denver office 100% carbon neutral, we continue to carefully select game areas in Africa that operate under sensitive environmental standards and now feel that Carbon Neutral travel is the next logical step. What does this mean for our clients? We are providing a way to travel to Africa with a limited negative impact on the environment.”

Africa Adventure Consultants also works with their African partner companies to reduce CO2 emissions by implementing solar and wind power schemes, reduce wood burning, protect land to create carbon sinks, and more.

Proceeds from purchased offsets are invested by Sustainable Travel International into high-impact sustainable development projects, including reforestation, renewable energy and energy conservation. These projects, which also benefit local communities, are located throughout Africa and other regions. Sustainable Travel International provides carbon offset projects that are independently verified by third-party sources.

The projects must verifiably reduce greenhouse gas emissions according to the CDM Gold Standard, consistent with the principles of the Kyoto Protocol, or meet the standards set forth by the Climate, Community, and Biodiversity Alliance. In 2007 Sustainable Travel International received the highest ranking in an independent study of carbon offsetting programs commissioned by the environmental group Clean Air-Cool Planet.

About Sustainable Travel International

Sustainable Travel International is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to promote sustainable development and eco-friendly travel by providing programs that help travelers and travel-related companies protect the environmental, socio-cultural and economic needs of the places they visit, and the planet at large.

About Africa Adventure Consultants

Denver-based Africa Adventure Consultants organizes safari adventures throughout East and Southern Africa, with destinations including Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Namibia, Botswana, Malawi, South Africa, Zambia and Victoria Falls. The company sells destinations they know personally and offer guests assurance of strong on-the-ground partnerships with only the best local companies. Africa Adventure Consultants supports a variety of African conservation organizations, community-based tourism programs and humanitarian causes. With an eye on personal service, the principals create customized trips for individuals and small groups.

To learn more, please call 1.866.778.1089.

Biggest Earth Day Ever Fast Approaching

Top African Travel Providers Promote Sustainable Travel Practices

In 1970, Earth Day founder Gaylord Nelson, then a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin, proposed the first nationwide environmental protest “to shake up the political establishment and force this issue onto the national agenda.” The Fazendin Portfolio, representing top African travel companies, takes the conservation of Africa’s delicate ecosystems very seriously and enthusiastically supports the global environmental initiatives that have been successfully implemented since the first Earth Day nearly four decades ago. Tourists are demanding environmentally friendly options and Africa’s finest travel providers are responding with a variety of programs in 2008.

Express Travel Group: The greatest eco-challenge facing Kenya today is finding the perfect balance between utilization and conservation of natural cultural resources to ensure sustainability. Kenya’s tourism is dependent on natural and cultural resources both of which can either be degraded or lost altogether if not properly utilized. Express Travel Group’s “Green Kenya” itinerary takes all this into careful consideration. By fostering exceptional relationships with some of Kenya’s most respected eco-friendly properties, this itinerary combines the best of the classic safari experience with enlightening environmental and community programs.

African Latitude: African Latitude strives to increase working relationships in safari operations with local communities in Kenya and Tanzania. Not only does the company have strong relationships with these communities, but they have created partnerships whereby the Masai people are directly involved with and benefiting from the tourism industry – the ultimate model for sustainable tourism today. The company is now building a community lodge which will bring benefit and employment to the local communities, linking different communities bordering conservation areas and national parks in East Africa and encouraging these communities to create their own conservation projects with the ultimate objective of helping them reap economic benefit from wildlife protection.

Choroa Luxury Safaris: Choroa Luxury Safaris operates luxury mobile safaris in Tanzania, which involves erecting tented camps for each individual safari group and completely removing these camps once the group is done — leaving absolutely no trace and minimal impact on delicate African ecosystems, including the famed Serengeti and Ngorongoro conservation areas.

EcoTraining: Thriving on the foundation that education powers conservation, EcoTraining provides “hands on” travel experiences for adventure travelers across the globe. EcoTraining’s philosophy is that no one can truly appreciate Africa’s wild places without actually spending time in the wild. Whether looking for professional safari guide training or for a learning vacation with a difference and an opportunity to experience the African bush first-hand, EcoTraining strives to educate and instill the great passion for and protection of the African bush in travelers from around the world.

Heritage Hotels: Kipungani Explorer Lamu, the stunning resort on Kenya’s Lamu Island recently announced its commitment to a long-term plan that will ensure that only local staff and materials are used in the development and maintenance of this property. Already considered the finest property on Lamu, this five-star property has proven that it doesn’t require giant generators, imported foods, or state-of-the-art gadgets to keep guests happy. By combining the latest environmental technologies with traditional local knowledge, Heritage Hotels is working to create a model for sustainable ecotourism throughout East Africa.

Dinknesh Ethiopia Tour: The Danakil Depression is considered a “cradle of mankind” for the large number of hominid remains found there. Only the Afrar people have been able to inhabit this difficult region, and continue living today as nomads tending to their livestock. This combination of culture, topography and climate make the Danakil Depression an exotic and mysterious destination for eco-travelers featuring the stunning landscapes and beautiful, enduring people of this remote region of Ethiopia.

The Fazendin Portfolio represents African travel companies providing classic African experiences. From luxury tented camping safari experiences to unique cultural adventures, this collection representing Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and South Africa was developed specifically with the needs and desires of North American adventure travelers in mind. Ever dedicated to environmental conservation, the company recently launched a comprehensive marketing CD including detailed information on the complete representation portfolio which has eliminated the need to print large brochures. To learn more about these eco-friendly travel options in Africa please visit http://www.fazendinportfolio.com/  

What is the status of sharks around the world?

It’s true that humans do a lot more damage to shark populations than vice versa. Marine biologists report that sharks are in rapid decline around the world. In the North Atlantic Ocean, shark populations have declined more than 50 percent over the past 20 years alone, with some species now nearing extinction.

Experts see the primary cause as overfishing, which depletes sharks as well as their prey. Sharks are especially vulnerable to illegal “longlines” (fishing nets strung across dozens if not hundreds of miles of ocean), where they get inadvertently snared along with the tuna and swordfish fishermen intend to catch.

Rising demand for shark fin soup in is also contributing to the demise of sharks. According to a report by Wildaid, shark fins are among the most expensive seafood products in the world, selling for some $700 per kilogram on the Hong Kong market. With prices like that, many longline fishermen, who are already operating illegally, are happy to augment their incomes by “finning” a few sharks along the way. (Finning is the practice of removing a fin from a shark and discarding the rest of the carcass at sea.)

Often, threatened wildlife species manage to maintain their numbers in spite of excessive human predation. But sharks face an especially uphill battle, says renowned shark expert Ransom Myers, because they “take a long time to mature and have relatively few babies.”

So what is being done to save sharks? In the U.S., the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation Act is the primary law that oversees the conservation of U.S. fisheries and has established various management regulations for 39 species of sharks in the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico. It outlaws finning if the carcass is discarded but not if the rest of carcass is kept, clearly an unfortunate loophole.

The U.S. also helped develop a United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization treaty (the International Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks) whereby 87 countries agreed to develop their own plans for the conservation of sharks. However, only two countries—the U.S. and Australia—have lived up to the agreement. The U.S. plan is administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which has been working with regional fisheries authorities to make sure fishermen are sticking to cautiously low quotas regarding the number of sharks they are allowed to catch.

What can consumers do to save the sharks? The Monterey Bay Aquarium in Monterey, California urges consumers to avoid all shark products, not just on restaurant menus but also all souvenirs such as jaws and teeth, and shark-cartilage pills, which have been touted as cancer cures but which have been proven to be completely ineffective and are now widely considered a scam. The aquarium also encourages consumers to support with their pocketbooks conservation groups working to protect sharks and oceans, and specifically those working to set aside marine reserves that are off-limits to fishing.

CONTACTS: Wildaid, http://www.wildaid.org/  Monterey Bay Aquarium, www.montereybayaquarium.org/cr/seafoodwatch.asp

GOT AN ENVIRONMENTAL QUESTION? Send it to: EarthTalk, c/o E/The Environmental Magazine, P.O. Box 5098, Westport, CT 06881; submit it at: www.emagazine.com/earthtalk/thisweek , or e-mail: earthtalk@emagazine.com  Read past columns at: www.emagazine.com/earthtalk/archives.php

Exclusive African Safaris

Exclusive Safaris Combine Local Legacies with Wildlife Discoveries

If your passions are people, history and wildlife, African Travel Inc. has designed an “Ancient Pathways” program of three custom itineraries that combine safari stays with first hand opportunities to meet local people and explore their history. Up close and personal experiences include walks with Bushmen to see prehistoric rock paintings in Botswana, exploring Soweto Township in Johannesburg, dining with a family in Cape Town; net fishing or collecting wild honey with local villagers, and meeting with a local healer in Zambia.

The “Ancient Pathways” program is part of African Travel Inc.’s “Exclusively Yours” vacation portfolio of custom-tailored safaris for discerning travelers who want to individually experience the African continent at their own pace.

“Footprints of the Bushmen” and “The People of Zambia” are two suggested 13-day itineraries on the “Ancient Pathways” program that can be custom-fitted to individual requirements.

“Footprints of the Bushmen”: South Africa & Botswana The itinerary combines 7 days in South Africa, with 6 days in Botswana. Among insider experiences are dining with a local family at a home hosted dinner in Cape Town; walks with bushmen in Makgadikgadi Pan, Botswana to discover ancient cave paintings; and a privately guided visit to Soweto, to meet with residents, visit their homes, churches, and share a drink at a local “shebeen,” or pub.

The itinerary kicks off with two days in Cape Town - including a home-hosted dinner. Two days are then spent at Bushman’s Kloof Wilderness Reserve, a Relais & Chateaux property in South Africa’s Cedarberg Wilderness area, complete with a spa treatment, prior to an overnight in Johannesburg and a full-day tour by private car to Soweto and the Apartheid Museum. The following six days are devoted to Botswana, beginning with three days at Jack’s Camp, a traditional 1940’s camp in the Kalihari Desert, where activities include walks with bushmen, night wildlife viewing and visits to historical campsites of Livingstone and other explorers. A safari camp in the Okavango Delta is home for another three days of wild life activities, before a final overnight in Johannesburg.

Depending on season traveled, per person price ranges from $10,295 to $12,295, based on double occupancy. Single supplement begins at $2,695. Included are stays in luxury properties and in comfortable safari camps, all activities, spa treatment, most meals, all transfers for flights via private vehicle, and charter and bush flights within Africa. Round trip air fare from New York to Johannesburg and Maun is $1,395 economy; $5,895 business class. Seasonal supplements and taxes are additional.

The People of Zambia

Travelers combine six days of “Big 5″ wildlife viewing with experiencing Zambian village life, as they join in activities such as net fishing in dugout canoes or trekking into the forest to collect wild honey with local villagers, visiting ancestral homes, and even consulting with a local healer who can prepare herbal remedies for any ailment. Other activities include a riverboat cruise on the Zambezi River and a walking tour of Victoria Falls, as well as a visit by ox-cart to the human origins museum.

The itinerary begins with arrival in Johannesburg, South Africa and an overnight, before flying to Livingstone, Zambia and two days at Songwe Village. Located an hour’s drive from Victoria Falls, the comfortable safari camp is designed as a native compound and is close to the village of the same name, where African Travel guests can spend a day with local inhabitants . Two more days are spent at Lechwe Plains Camp at Lochnivar National Park, before leaving for six days of game viewing and village visits in South Luangwa National Park. During the six day stay, guests spend three days each at Nkwali Camp and Tena Tena tent camps, where opportunities abound for wildlife viewing of elephants, lions, and leopards by foot and vehicle. A final overnight is spent in Johannesburg, prior to departure.

Depending on season traveled, price ranges from $6,895 to $7,295 per person, based on double occupancy. Included are all accommodations, most meals and activities including game viewing and village visits, charter flight arrangements and flight transfers via private vehicle. Single supplement ranges from $1,795 to $2,195 depending on season travelled. Economy air fare from New York to Johannesburg, including intra-Africa flights to Livingstone and Lusaka, costs $1,395; business class is $7,195.

About African Travel, Inc.

Since 1976 African Travel Inc, under the leadership of its founder and managing director, Dave Herbert, has designed custom-tailored, luxury vacation experiences to the African continent and beyond for discerning travelers. African Travel Inc.’s offerings stretch from Cape Town to Morocco, the Seychelles islands, Mauritius, Madagascar and Dubai. Travel + Leisure magazine named ATI one of the top ten tour and safari operators in 2007.

In keeping with its philosophy, African Travel encourages preservation and economic development through a number of activities, including donating a portion of profits to wildlife conservation and cultural preservation.

To receive a copy of African Travel Inc.’s 2008 “Exclusively Yours” descriptive packet brochure and additional information, see your travel agent, phone 1-800-421-8907 or (818) 507-7893. Information is also available at http://www.africantravelinc.com/ or emailing ati@africantravelinc.com

Ethiopian Airlines Companions Fly Free Promotion

Ethiopian Airlines has introduced a new promotion: travelers who purchase a regular fare will receive a “Free Companion Fare” to any of Ethiopian Airlines’ 29 destinations throughout Africa. The offer begins Jan. 19 and is valid through March 19, with a 21-day maximum length of stay.

Southern Africa Direct Goes Live On Sky

New free-to-air* lifestyle and culture TV channel for everyone with an interest in Southern Africa

Southern Africa Direct, an exciting new lifestyle and culture TV channel, has now gone live on Sky channel 283. The new TV channel is dedicated to providing lifestyle & culture, travel & tourism and commerce information from 25 countries in sub-equatorial Southern Africa, an incredibly beautiful and largely undiscovered region of the world. It is the UK’s first ‘Destination TV’ channel, completely devoted to one geographic region and provides a gateway to Southern Africa with an entertaining source of accurate information for anyone interested in visiting or building commercial links with the region.

“Southern Africa is a magnificent region to visit and a rewarding place to do business. This exciting Destination TV channel will make Southern Africa accessible to a new target audience, providing an authentic vision of Southern Africa to UK viewers,” says HRH Princess Zenani Dlamini, a Founder of Southern Africa Direct. “The UK is an extremely important market for Southern Africa. Our new channel is designed to inspire even more UK citizens to visit and buy Southern African products.”

Southern Africa Direct will appeal to people of all ages, providing viewers with an ideal opportunity to find out exactly what Southern Africa is like and what each individual country has to offer. Fascinating features of the region include some of the most exciting wildlife in the world, areas of natural beauty, fantastic beaches, enchanting culture, great music, brilliant golf, wonderful wine, fabulous food and so much more.

The channel’s programming will cover the following three categories:

Lifestyle & Culture - including Music, Sport, Entertainment and History. Travel & Tourism - featuring Top Destinations, Exotic Places and Travel Information. Commerce - profiling Business, Industry and Trade information.

Southern Africa Direct has also simultaneously launched its website (www.southernafricadirect.com). This website will continue to develop to provide a highly intuitive and action packed information source that complements the TV channel, providing live streaming, links to business and tourism information, affordable travel products and many other unique Southern African goods and services.

“In the UK, 98% of the media coverage relating to Africa is negative. We believe that the many wonderful aspects of Southern African life and culture are too often ignored by the mass-media. The aim of Southern Africa Direct is to at last accurately portray the region to UK TV viewers in all its diversity,” says Pierre van der Hoven, Founding Director of the channel.

The channel will schedule programs from 25 African countries and islands with a capital city on or below the equator: Angola, Ascension Island, Botswana, Burundi, Comoros, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Reunion, Rwanda, Seychelles, South Africa, St. Helena, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

*Southern Africa Direct is ‘free-to-air’ meaning it can be watched by anyone who has Sky TV, a FreeSat box or a satellite dish and receiver pointing at the EuroBird satellite.

About Southern Africa Direct:

Southern Africa Direct is a free-to-air lifestyle and culture TV channel available on the Sky Digital platform and online. It is the UK’s first ‘Destination TV’ channel, providing an authentic and engaging information source for anyone interested in visiting or building commercial links with Southern Africa.

Southern Africa Direct’s pioneering programming focuses on lifestyle & culture, travel & tourism and commerce, providing a gateway for a broad range of UK viewers, whatever their interest in the region. The channel provides significant opportunities for sponsors and advertisers wanting to reach an affluent and adventurous demographic. For more information please visit http://www.southernafricadirect.com/

African Adventure Atlas. Adventure Maps,  The Indian Ocean Islands, The Atlantic Ocean Islands & all countries Large format. Illustrated maps of the entire African continent. 350+ colour photos. *Also appeared in June Buyer’s Notes*, Travel - Foreign ; Afrika; Atlas,  African Adventure Atlas. Adventure Maps

Good Start to Dubai Cruise Season

Dubai welcomed six cruise ships at its state-of-the-art cruise terminal since the start of cruise season in October.

Awadh Seghayer Al Ketbi, Executive Director for Heritage and Cruise at the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) said the cruise tourism season had a good start and several cruise ships from various parts of the world are expected to visit the emirate until the end of the season in April.

The ship-shaped cruise terminal, opened in 2001, measures 3300 square metres and is able to accommodate two ships simultaneously on a 335-metre quay The Dubai Cruise Terminal is the world’s first to receive ISO-9002 certification and also the world’s only cruise facility run by the government tourism body, DTCM. The Dubai cruise terminal is able to accommodate two ships simultaneously.

It stands out on account of its futuristic “mobile” design; facilities include a VIP lounge, café, palm gardens, duty free shops, Internet corner, giant video screen and meeting room.

DTCM signed an agreement with Cruise operator Costa Crociere. The agreement marks the creation of a full-fledged partnership between Costa Crociere and Dubai, providing for joint marketing initiatives in the next five years promoting both brands worldwide.

During the current winter season 2007-2008, Dubai expects more than 200,000 cruise passengers to visit the emirate, giving a big boost to the booming tourism industry.

Mr. Al Ketbi said: “Dubai is becoming a popular cruise destination in the world. The arrival of cruise ships speaks volumes about the status that Dubai enjoys on the world cruise tourism map.”

Dubai handled 32,000 cruise passenger movements in 2006, up from 23,000 cruise passengers in the previous year. For the 2006-2007, season, Dubai is expected to play host to over 85,000 passengers. For the 2008 season, the number is expected to reach over 200,000.

Africa’s premier Fashion Designer