The Cruise Arabia Alliance has expanded its membership with Saudi Arabia and Qatar formally becoming a member of the regional grouping, a transfer that officers say will strengthen cooperation and enhance the Gulf’s attraction as a cruise vacation spot.
The announcement was made on the World Journey Market in London, the place representatives from all six collaborating locations signed a Memorandum of Understanding to formalise their collaboration.
The alliance now brings collectively Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar underneath a shared objective to advance the Arabian Gulf as a sustainable and high-quality cruise vacation spot. The settlement focuses on coordinated advertising and marketing, improved port infrastructure and unified operational requirements to draw extra cruise strains, ease passenger motion and higher showcase the area’s heritage and cultural points of interest.
Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director Common of Tourism on the Division of Tradition and Tourism Abu Dhabi, mentioned the enlarged membership displays a rising regional dedication to tourism growth. “With the inclusion of Qatar Tourism and Cruise Saudi, we’re rising a collective providing that’s richer, extra various, and extra compelling for travellers worldwide,” he mentioned.
Gulf cruise sector
Dubai officers highlighted the emirate’s continued position as a significant regional embarkation level. Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Company for Tourism and Commerce Advertising and marketing, mentioned the improved partnership would reinforce Dubai’s place as a world cruise hub and help the goals of the Dubai Financial Agenda, D33.
Oman additionally welcomed the expanded alliance. Undersecretary for Tourism Azzan bin Qassim Al Busaidi mentioned: “Increasing the Cruise Arabia Alliance ensures a variety of selections, merchandise, and tourism experiences provided to guests.” He added that improved connectivity throughout ports would give travellers extra choices throughout the area.
For Saudi Arabia, the partnership aligns with nationwide tourism ambitions. Cruise Saudi CEO Lars Clasen mentioned the collaboration would assist deepen worldwide engagement, enhance visitor experiences and help wider objectives underneath Imaginative and prescient 2030. Qatar additionally positioned the alliance as a part of its broader tourism technique, with Omar Al Jaber, Chief of the Tourism Growth Sector at Qatar Tourism, stating that stronger hyperlinks would elevate the Gulf’s standing as a world cruise vacation spot.
Bahrain emphasised the settlement’s financial relevance. Sara Ahmed Buhiji, CEO of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority, mentioned: “By constructing on our maritime heritage, we are going to enhance cruise tourism, improve resort occupancy, and improve customer experiences immediately advancing Bahrain’s Tourism Technique 2022–2026.”
Officers agreed that the growth marks a major second for regional cooperation. They mentioned that unified advertising and marketing efforts, coordinated growth and an emphasis on customer expertise place the Arabian Gulf to compete extra strongly within the worldwide cruise market.
