Cruise Saudi A New Red Sea Cruising Experience

Saudi Arabia is launching into the cruise market and are exploiting the potential windfall of the Red Sea.

With Cruise Saudi now joining the drive for yet more tourism into the Kingdom.

In recent years Saudi has made a number of inroads into the tourism sector. And this latest venture confirms their desire in the cruising sector too.

A planned private island in the Red Sea is now being completed. It will be able to handle around 2,000 guests in luxury on an island just off the coast near to Jeddah.

Speaking at the recent World Travel Market in London. Mashhoor Baeshen, Executive Director for Commercial and Business Development for Cruise Saudi explained in more detail.

He said “The private island will be a first-of-its-kind offering for the Red Sea.”

“The development will turn the island into a new destination to explore in Saudi. It is designed exclusively for cruise passengers.”

“Located south of Jeddah, it will include an elegant beach club. With private villas, sunbeds, dining areas, and an area to welcome guests.”

Launched in January 2021, Cruise Saudi is a 100% Public Investment Fund owned company, established to develop the cruising sector in Saudi.

All part of ‘The Vision of 2030’ and the Kingdom’s efforts to diversify its economy and develop a thriving tourism sector.

Cruise Saudi Cruise and Port Operator

Looking for Cruise Saudi to become a world-class cruise port and cruise line operator.

Driving the development of destination experiences and building a thriving cruise sector in Saudi around the Red Sea.

So far  the company has entertained around 370,000 passengers from a diverse 120 countries at the last count.

Three ports have so far been equipped with the necessary infrastructure to deal with large cruise ships. Jeddah and Yanbu along the Red Sea and also Dammam which is on the Arabian Gulf.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

These ports will provide direct access to three of Saudi’ six UNESCO World Heritage Sites:
1. Hegra Archaeological Site, AlUla
2. Jeddah Historic District, the Gateway to Makkah
3. AlHasa Oasis

Aims Of Cruise Saudi

In the next ten or so years the plans are to have around 1.3 million passengers per year. Aims are that this market could create 50,000 jobs in tourism sector both direct and indirect areas. And a further 10 ports are planned.

As well as the main cruise lines operating around the world. Saudi has also joined the club with its Aroya cruise aimed at its Saudi home market and expatriates.
www.cruisesaudi.com

Jeddah

Jeddah
Jeddah’s port has long served as a gateway to welcome visitors to Saudi. Strategically located along ancient trading routes, Jeddah has an important maritime history as an international hub for merchants transporting goods from around the world.

Jeddah is now the commercial centre of Saudi; a cultural crossroads and a vibrant hub combining heritage and modernity. With a population of about 3.5 million, Jeddah is the second largest city in Saudi and the eighth largest in the Middle East.

Jeddah is the perfect first stop for tourists to discover the rich and vibrant culture of Saudi. Filled with vibrant artwork, exotic scents and the traditional Hijazi architecture that is unique to the region, a visit to Jeddah’s Historic District is an experience for all the senses that transports guests back in time through centuries of culture and traditions.

Yanbu

Yanbu’s history dates back at least 2,500 years when it was a staging point on the spice and incense route from Yemen to Egypt and the Mediterranean region. The city was built around its port, where most of its people made their living.

Modern Yanbu is a major industrial city, known for its oil refineries and petrochemical plants, home to a unique cultural mix of people, with many of its 220,000 expatriate residents from around the world.
With this fusion of history and modernity, along with its proximity to major cities in the country, Yanbu offers an ideal port of call on the Red Sea. Currently, it is the coastal access point of UNESCO World Heritage Site Hegra, AlUla.

Dammam

Dammam is famously the location where oil was first discovered in Saudi, however the history of the area dates back more than 2,000 years with many tombs and dwellings discovered in the area.
Over a span of a little more than half a century, the area has developed from fishing communities into a thriving hub of industry, commerce and science, and home to more than half a million people. It boasts endless views of the tranquil Arabian Gulf and is known for its airy waterfronts and sandy beaches. The modern city is a metropolis that thrives on its coastal location and has a growing reputation as an arts, sports and entertainment destination.

In closing Mashhoor wanted to make it clear that it will also be the wonderful hospitality of the Saudis themselves.

Their ‘extra mile’ attitude that will win hearts and mind of visitors looking to experience an exceptional new tourist destination that also has a several thousand years of unique history too.

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