Tourism Breaking News
MSC Cruises announced that in November it will open its first office in Saudi Arabia and also launch a brand-new itinerary from Jeddah as a further demonstration of its commitment to support the Kingdom’s plans for its tourism sector with Saudi Vision 2030. Details were unveiled in Riyadh by Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of the Cruise Division of the MSC Group as he attended the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s (UNWTO’s) ‘World Tourism Day’ conference.
The new office will be based in Jeddah and house the commercial, sales and marketing functions for both MSC Cruises and its sister company, Explora Journeys, a new luxury cruise brand that began operations in July this year. MSC Cruises added that it will start its third season of Red Sea voyages from Jeddah in two months’ time with a new sailing itinerary for international and Saudi Arabia-based holidaymakers.
The 294 metre long 16 deck MSC Orchestra can accommodate up to 2,550 passengers and will operate from Jeddah for six months and offer 20 separate 7-night sailings to Aqaba in Jordan to visit Petra and three destinations in Egypt – Sharm El-Sheikh, Sokhna Port for Cairo and Safaga for Luxor – before returning to the Saudi port. In 2024, Explora Journeys’ second ship EXPLORA II will sail in the Middle East in 2024 and visit Jeddah to enable its passengers to visit the city as well as Al Ula and Hegra.
Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman, Cruise Division, MSC Group, said, “We are honoured to have played an important role partnering with the key government bodies to stimulate the establishment of the cruise industry in Saudi Arabia. Initially starting with local cruises during the pandemic and then international passengers from 124 different countries.
“We look forward to our third season of cruises from Saudi Arabia for local and international visitors to support the Saudi Vision 2030 and we are pleased to be able to work together to establish the Kingdom as a popular cruise destination. Thanks to our global distribution, we are able to bring international passengers to Saudi Arabia to experience the richness of the country’s heritage and its ability to preserve its traditions and culture all whilst enjoying the incredible experience on board the cruise ship.”
