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Water-taxi sightseeing tours to start from Abu Dhabi’s cruise terminal

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Abdulkareem Al Masabi, evp, Abu Dhabi Ports and Mohamed Roestali(left), ceo, Jalboot Holdings sign partnership agreement
Abu Dhabi Ports signed an agreement with Jalboot Marine, a locally-based ferry operator, to begin a water-taxi shuttle service from the cruise terminal to the Louvre Abu Dhabi, in addition to other landmarks in the city.

The signing took place between Abdulkareem Al Masabi, evp ports and Mohamed Roestali, ceo of Jalboot Holdings in the presence of Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, ceo of Abu Dhabi Ports. The agreement allows Jalboot Marine to operate sightseeing boat tours from Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal at Mina Zayed.

Captain Al Shamisi remarked: ‘It has been a remarkable season for Abu Dhabi’s marine tourism sector with Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal and Sir Bani Yas Island being key factors in this continued prosperity.

‘Abu Dhabi Ports is keen to play a pivotal role in further supporting Abu Dhabi’s positioning as a unique touristic destination. We can see ample avenues to expand alongside our partners and stakeholders and look forward to this opportunity to work with Jalboot Holdings and to further contribute to the success of the cruise sector,’ he added.

Abu Dhabi’s first water-taxi shuttle services will be available for residents and visitors for city sight-seeing and drop-off by the end of the year.

Passenger pickup will be from Zayed Port’s Cruise Terminal and will include several stops at destinations such as Louvre Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Yas Island and Etihad Towers.

Commenting on the agreement, Al Masabi said: ‘With the new Louvre Museum opening its doors in November, there is no doubt there will be a wave of sight-seers coming into the city.’

The new service will allow cruise passengers visiting Abu Dhabi unprecedented access to the waterways around the capital, with many destinations close by, he added.

The agreement also includes building a new20 mtr long jetty with wheelchair access and secure gated access.

Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal is forecasted to welcome 92 ship calls from 18 different cruise lines in 2017/18.

Ports and destination development within the Gulf plus range and appeal of shorex offerings are amongst topics to be discussed at the upcoming Seatrade Middle East Cruise Forum, taking place in Dubai December 12-13, 2017 at  Lapita, Dubai Parks & Resorts, Dubai, UAE.