Saudi Cruise Company and Qatar Tourism announced yesterday their joining of the 'Cruise Arabia' alliance. This is a significant step to enhance the cruise tourism sector in the Gulf region. 'Cruise Arabia' was established in March 2024 by the maritime and tourism authorities of Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, and Oman. It forms a strategic partnership in the region to elevate this sector by enhancing regional cooperation, as well as by offering exceptional and seamless travel experiences to several destinations, each distinguished by its unique cultural character. According to a statement issued by the Department of Economy and Tourism in Dubai, the official announcement of this addition to the list was made during the World Travel Market exhibition in London, where the partners signed a memorandum of understanding in the presence of the Director General of the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi, Saleh Mohammed Al Jaziri, the Executive Director of Operations at the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, Tarik Majdi, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism for Tourism - Sultanate of Oman, Azan bin Qasim Al Busaidi, the Chief Executive Officer of 'Saudi Cruise Company' Lars Classen, and the Head of Tourism Development Sector at 'Qatar Tourism', Omar Al Jabr. Al Jaziri said: 'The Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi, as a founding member of the (Cruise Arabia) alliance, continues its efforts to deepen the frameworks of regional cooperation to tap into the great potential of maritime tourism in the Arabian Gulf region and to provide integrated exceptional tours that meet the aspirations of our visitors.' In turn, the Executive Director of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, Esam Kazim, said: 'In line with the wise leadership's directives, cruise tourism continues to play a pivotal role in the growth of Dubai's tourism sector, which contributes to achieving the goals of Dubai's Economic Agenda (D33), aimed at cementing the city's position as a leading global business and leisure destination.' He added: '(Cruise Arabia) will provide Dubai with an ideal platform to showcase its diverse offerings, a step that will cement the city's status as a regional hub for cruise tourism.'
