DTCM and Dubai Customs to Collaborate for Developing Tourist Attractions

Dubai Customs and the Department of Tourism and Commercial Marketing in Dubai (DTCM) signed an agreement to develop tourist facilities at Jumeirah 1, Umm Suqeim 1 and Umm Suqeim 2 harbors through mutual cooperation. According to the agreement DTCM will provide customer service training to Dubai Custom’s staff that will help them run fishermen harbors. In addition to training and technical support, DTCM will provide research-based suggestions and recommendations including feasibility studies that will help with promoting tourism and strategic management for premium customer service experience.

H.E. Ahmed Mahboob Musabih, Director of Dubai Customs, H.E. Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General of DTCM, and H.E. Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman of DP World and Chairman of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation were present at the signing ceremony.

H.E. Sultan bin Sulayem said that the agreement is a step in the right direction to make Dubai a tourist destination for people around the world. Fishermen Harbors are likely to increase tourism appeal of Dubai, and bring in more tourists in the future, as the harbors are set to offer facilities like boatyards for fishing boats, yachts and recreational boats.

Fishermen Harbours Development Project will initially focus on 1000 laborers and seamen, with a boat yard capacity of 466 anchorages, of which 348 are for fishing boats and 119 for yachts and recreational boats. In addition to seamen accommodation units, warehouses and fish markets will also be established to promote trade of fishery products.

H.E. Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General of Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing said that the development of Dubai harbor will put Emirati heritage and traditional fishing in the area into spotlight, and will promote tourism in the GCC region.

Ahmed Mahboob warmly welcomed the agreement with DTCM and expressed hope that it will increase tourist appeal of the region. He explained how a joint team will be formed, with an annual action plan that will measure how well they’ve performed through comparisons with various standards and KPIs.

The Fishermen Harbours Development Project was initiated in 2008 in order to support traditional fisherman and help improve their lifestyle. Dubai Customs aims to showcase the unique cultural front of the region, accompanied by economic prosperity of the region. Dubai Customs has been known to undertake several sustainable development projects in the past, which have contributed to economic growth in the region.