Disha Shah Ghosh - Mumbai With Resorts World Cruises making its debut in the Gulf region, Indian travellers will have an added layer to their overall experience in the region. Brimming with excitement, Naresh Rawal, Senior Vice President – Sales & Marketing, Resorts World Cruises (South Asia and Middle East), Resorts World Cruises, spoke to Disha Shah Ghosh about this new opportunity to bring the expansive Asian hospitality to one of the global melting point of Dubai.
Q. At the cusp of launching the Gulf sailings, what are your sentiments for foraying into new waters?
The feedback and demand on the ground from both the local and fly-cruise market, be it from the trade, customers and overall in general are very positive, as we are set to introduce a unique brand of cruising with round trip cruises from Dubai to Sir Bani Yas, Doha, Khasab and Muscat. We are excited and highly optimistic of the strong prospect and new opportunities that await us in the Gulf region.
Q. How challenging is this opportunity, considering your experience has always been Asia centric, and even Resorts World has been a known brand in this region?
We are up for the challenge as pioneering new waters is something we are very familiar with. As a group, we have decades of valuable experience and skillsets in the hospitality, entertainment and cruising sector, which enabled us to cater to different markets effectively. Our progression to the Gulf is timely and we are looking forward to delivering various customised offerings that we have outlined for the upcoming homeport deployment in Dubai.
Q. With Dubai as home-port, you will be competing with larger ships deployed by your contemporaries. What is your strategy to establish a foothold in this market, and the kind of passenger count you are looking at in the first year of operations?
For us here at Resorts World Cruises, we know Asia best. We are offering a unique brand of Asian cruising experience, coupled with our renowned Asian hospitality and best in class services, which we feel will set us apart from other brands. Our goal is to ensure we deliver offerings that matter to the target market such as providing certified Halal cuisines, Muslim-friendly offerings and exciting customised entertainment for the region.
Q. The ship will introduce lesser-known Sir Bani Yas Island. At a time when the Indian traveller is spoilt for choice, how do your plan to position such unique sailing ports in India?
Resorts World Cruises is about introducing new destinations and creating new demand. Sir Bani Yas island is truly a beautiful island with a wide variety of attractions and we are constantly working very closely with the local authorities to highlight and promote the island. We are also enhancing the overall experience with fun-filled onboard activities that will be brought from ship to shore. It will be a colourful and memorable experience.
Q. What are some of the ship enhancements implemented to tap HNIs from India?
Dubai is already a popular tourist destination for many HNIs from India. The commencement of Resorts World One on November 1, also coincides with Diwali, , which will also attract a wider expat demographic in the region and the inbound fly- cruise segment to Dubai.
Aboard the Resorts World One, we have specially curated performances and unexpected entertainment, inspired by the Gulf and across Asia. With the first departure coinciding with the Diwali festive celebrations, guests from the Gulf and across Asia will get to personally experience the Festival of Light on the Resorts World One, as the ship will be colourfully decorated and brightly lit with exciting Diwali inspired activities, entertainment, “Gujarat food festival”, sweets and desserts during the entire week of celebration.
Catch the onboard day to night parties for the best time of your life, starting with the high energy ‘Dazzling Departure Party’ packed with music and entertainers. Enjoy the captivating ‘Twilight Soirée’ – featuring a mesmerizing dinner show party that will elevate your senses; or experience the magical Arabian culture, tradition, music and colours with the ‘Enchanting Arabian Nights Party’ or the ‘Sand & Oasis Party’ under the starry nights. Continue to dance the night away to your favourite tunes at the ‘Bollywood Party’ and for more amazing experiences, don’t miss the bubble-licious ‘Foam Party’; water-splashing ‘Rain Party’; ‘Family Pyjama Party under the Stars’ and more.
The ship will also offer vegetarian and Jain cuisine for the convenience of guests from India.
Q. What activities have been chalked out for travel trade engagement jointly with the tourism promotion agencies of Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Khasab and Muscat since these destinations along with Dubai are actively working in India?
We are working hand-in-hand with the different tourism boards to promote the respective cruising destinations through various A&P platforms, media and key influencers. The support from the various tourism bodies has been very positive in India, and we will continue to collaborate on joint promotions to develop the cruise sector in the Gulf region.
