Cruise Saudi, the company facilitating the development of the cruise industry in Saudi Arabia, has confirmed that it has become a member of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).
Launched in January 2021 at the Future Investment Initiative (FII), Cruise Saudi has made good progress in its mission to bring the global cruise industry to Saudi Arabia.
The company has worked together with stakeholders such as the Saudi Port Authority MAWANI to guide the construction of a new cruise terminal at Jeddah Islamic Port, Saudi Arabia’s largest port. It has signed agreements with leading global cruise operators to bring their ships to Saudi waters, a statement from the company said.
MSC Bellissima, owned by MSC Cruises, a privately owned cruise line, and luxury liner Scenic Eclipse, have both been sailing the Saudi coastline during the summer season.
Cruise Saudi Managing Director Fawaz Farooqui said: “Our membership of WTTC is an important step in fulfilling Saudi Arabia’s plans to become a new pillar for the global cruise industry. We have an unparalleled blend of cultural, historical and natural attractions that will appeal to a wide range of travellers, and we have begun to develop world-class infrastructure that has enabled us to start welcoming them.”
He added: “Through WTTC, we seek to alert the global cruise industry not only to the attractions of our country but also to its ability to provide seamless and safe tourist services. Saudi Arabia is committed to building a sustainable, environmentally conscious tourism industry in line with the goals of Vision 2030, and we look forward to collaborating with the WTTC on these efforts.”
The membership of WTTC, which advocates for the development of the travel and tourism sector as a driver of sustainable economic growth, will further establish the Saudi cruise industry just as international leisure travel begins to resume following the Covid-19 pandemic.
 
Joining the Council will allow Cruise Saudi to better shine a spotlight on the year-round potential of the Saudi market to tour operators, travel agents and cruise lines, in addition to sourcing key data on international travel trends and learning from the best practitioners in the global cruise sector.
 
WTTC President & CEO Julia Simpson said: “We are delighted to be welcoming Cruise Saudi as a member of the council. The Saudi travel & tourism sector will be critical to powering the country’s economy once Covid-19 has been combatted, and we look forward to working closely with Cruise Saudi, and continuing our work with the government, to ensure a swift recovery of this fast-growing sector.”

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