Dubai Building Second Cruise Terminal

Huh? Where you may ask? Why should I care?

Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, is one of the fastest-growing travel destinations in the world. Most travelers come from Europe, not from America, but this is likely to change as this destination grows and matures and Americans look for new destinations.

As a cruise port, Dubai is relatively new. However, 2 years ago, Costa announced they were going to base a ship there (marketed to Europeans) in the winter months. It was a huge success, quickly selling out all its sailings. A second ship was added for this year and it's proving to be just as popular. It's expected that 165,000 passengers will sail through Dubai this season, and that number is expected to grow to 350,000 by the 2010 season.

Why is this important to you? It's another example of the growing importance of the European cruise market. More and more cruise line resources are going to serve this market, and it's expanding the areas of the world where you can cruise. While not many Americans are yet exploring these areas in the winter, I expect that to change over the next few years. In addition, expect to see a growing percentage of the newbuilds going to the European brands instead of the US market.

Finally, if you thought Dubai sounded familiar, this is where, after November 2008, you will have to go to see the Queen Elizabeth II. One mega resort there has purchased her to be a permanent attraction.

There's big money in Dubai, as they seek to diversify beyond oil revenue, and are intentionally growing their tourist base. Amazing hotels, theme parks and other attractions (including casinos) are being built. Keep an eye on it for the future!