Tag Archives: cruise tourism

Explora Journeys announced a strategic partnership in Saudi Arabia with ITL World aimed to bring bespoke luxury travel experiences to discerning Saudi travelers, combining Explora Journeys’ sophisticated cruise offerings with ITL World’s regional expertise. Travellers have the chance to immerse themselves in cosmopolitan, European luxury at sea. On every journey, guests can enjoy elegant suites with a private ocean-front terrace, nine unforgettable inclusive culinary experiences, high-speed Wi-Fi via Starlink connectivity, vibrant entertainment & ocean-inspired wellness. With this partnership, ITL World will leverage its extensive network and expertise in travel management to introduce Explora Journeys’ unique offerings to a broader audience in Saudi Arabia enhancing the luxury ocean travel options available to discerning travelers. Speaking on the backdrop of the Saudi Aramco Travel Show 2024, Angelo Capurro, Executive Director, Explora Journeys, said, “We are delighted to partner with ITL World, a company that shares our vision of providing truly transformative travel experiences. This collaboration will allow us to bring our unique journeys to a wider audience in the Middle East, offering them the chance to explore the world in unparalleled luxury.” Dr. Siddeek Ahmed, Chairman & Managing, ITL World, added, “Our partnership with Explora Journeys underscores our commitment to offering the best in luxury travel to our guests in Saudi Arabia. We are excited to combine our local expertise with Explora Journeys’ exceptional offerings to create unique and memorable travel experiences.” Setting a new standard in luxury ocean travel, Explora Journeys, offers discerning travellers the perfect blend of discovery and sophistication, combining celebrated destinations with off-the-beaten-path ports, inviting travellers to immerse themselves in the essence of exploration. With overnights and longer stays at destinations, guests can delve deep into local cultures …

Bahwan Travel Agencies Oman, and Sabre Corporation announced the renewal of their strategic technology agreement at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai. This renewal marks a significant milestone in the continued collaboration between the two companies, further solidifying their commitment to leveraging latest technology to drive business growth in Oman and the wider region. Under this renewed agreement, Bahwan Travel Agencies will continue to access Sabre’s portfolio of innovative technology, including its intelligent platform Sabre Red 360. This access enables Bahwan Travel Agencies to harness more data and content, providing clients with an expanded choice from over 400 airlines, 1.6 million lodging options, and numerous tour operators, rail, car, and cruise providers. The extensive marketplace empowers Bahwan Travel Agencies to curate and offer personalized travel packages from suppliers around the globe, significantly enhancing the overall travel experience for its customers. “The agreement renewal with Sabre endorses the robustness of our enduring partnership,” stated Sheikha Amal Suhail Bahwan, Vice Chairperson, Suhail Bahwan Group. “As a pioneer in the travel industry with 50 year’s presence in Oman, we ensure our travel business is empowered by latest technology, innovation and enhanced customer experience. Choosing Sabre as our technology partner is not only a strategic decision but also a logical choice to facilitate the growth of our business, enhance operational efficiency, and consistently add significant value for our customers.” Additionally, Bahwan Travel Agencies will deploy Sabre Automation Hub, Sabre APIs, Automated Exchanges and Refunds, and the Sabre E Ticket Report. These advanced technologies will empower Bahwan Travel Agencies to enhance its online presence, differentiate offerings, and provide customers with a more personalized and seamless travel shopping experience. “Bahwan Travel Agencies commitment to a strong and enduring …

The maritime and tourism authorities of Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain and Oman have formalised the Cruise Arabia alliance – a strategic regional partnership that will promote the Arabian Gulf as a cruise ship destination globally. An official Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by the stakeholders at the Internationale Tourismus-Börse Berlin (ITB Berlin) travel trade convention. Key objectives of the Cruise Arabia alliance include collaboration to enhance the cruise experience for passengers, attract more cruise liners to the region, improve infrastructure at ports and drive economic growth in the regional cruise tourism sector. The partners will also work together on enhancing the regional cruise ecosystem, improving key stakeholder relations, and conducting joint marketing efforts both regionally and internationally. Dubai has been a significant player in the Cruise Arabia alliance, working closely with its partners to create interconnected and integrated regional cruise services. Previously, Dubai and the neighbouring countries have participated in international trade exhibitions as a single grouping under the banner of the Cruise Arabia alliance. His Excellency Issam Kazim, CEO, Dubai Corporation for Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), said: “The Cruise Arabia alliance will further reinforce Dubai’s position as the cruise hub of the region, aligned with the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, launched by our visionary leadership, to further consolidate Dubai’s status as one of the top three global cities for business and leisure. The growth of our cruise tourism has been largely shaped by the continuous support of our stakeholders and partners, and this alliance will result in more cruise operators seeking to anchor in Dubai, capitalising on its strategic location and promoting the city’s diverse offerings, world-class infrastructure and superior air and sea connectivity. Dubai and its …

Qatar Tourism has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mowasalat Karwa to innovate and enhance the tourism experience for visitors coming to Qatar via cruises. The MoU aims to enhance coordination and cooperation between the two parties in the field of cruise tourism, which in turn is an integral part of the National Tourism Strategy that seeks to make Qatar one of the leading tourist destinations in the world. The MoU outlines the joint cooperation between the two organizations to maintain the continuity of communication with transparency, optimize cost, and provide the necessary support for the success of the upcoming cruise season. Qatar Tourism will provide Mowasalat Karwa with data and statistics related to the tourism sector to facilitate their cooperation, and will send advance notice of the arrival times of ships and cruise ships, enabling effective planning of transport services. The MoU was signed by H.E. Mr. Saad bin Ali Al Kharji, President of Qatar Tourism, and Mr. Fahad Saad Al Qahtani, CEO of Mowasalat Karwa. H.E. Saad bin Ali Al Kharji, President of Qatar Tourism, said: “Cruise tourism is a key pillar in supporting Qatar’s national tourism strategy and contributing to Qatar’s position on the global tourism map. Qatar Tourism is working continuously with its key partners to ensure an exceptional tourism experience for visitors to Qatar. Transportation plays an important role in enhancing this experience, and we are confident that our partnership with Mowasalat will contribute to the success of the current cruise season.” Mr. Fahad Saad Al Qahtani, CEO of Karwa, said: “We believe in the importance of transportation for visitors and its impact on the competitiveness of tourist destinations. Tour operators in Qatar market …

Qatar Tourism revealed that the country welcomed 253,191 cruise visitors during the 2022/2023 cruise season (December 2022 – April 2023), representing an increase of 151% compared to the same period last season (100,500 visitors). Qatar continues to strengthen its position as a global tourism destination supported by a variety of leading tourist attractions and a range of exciting festivals and events. This significant growth in total visitors is particularly significant given that this year’s cruise season started later than usual (i.e. in December instead of October), as Doha Port welcomes floating hotels to accommodate visitors and fans coming to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 ™™. Of the cruise ship visitors received this season, 20 per cent were part of the partial transformation flights from which Doha was the starting and returning point, an increase of 790 per cent compared to the 4,172 passengers who came on these cruises during the previous season. Qatar also received 54 cruise visits during the 2022/2023 cruise season, whether transit or round trip, representing an increase of 59% compared to last year. Qatar’s cruise sector has shown great resilience and remarkable growth, and despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Qatar has seen a steady increase in the total number of cruise ships received and the number of visitors on board, and the cruise sector promises further growth in the coming seasons. Qatar’s growing cruise sector has become a key pillar of the country’s efforts to achieve the objectives of its long-term tourism strategy, as evidenced by the comprehensive refurbishment of Doha Port, which can now receive two superships at a time and up to 12,000 visitors per day arriving on cruises. Commenting …

Now, in its 29th year, Dubai International boat show kicked off once again at the Dubai Harbour, the permanent show ground alongside the cruise terminal in the Dubai Marina. Speaking at the opening Abdulla Binhabtoor, Chief Portfolio Management Officer, Shamal Holding, the owner and curator of Dubai Harbour, “I would like welcome you again to the Dubai harbour, this district was designed and purpose built for the maritime industry in the UAE which has been guiding for thousands of years.” Speaking with tourism breaking news he added the importance of the international boat show and the development plans for the harbour itself. “We believe that with partners like the Dubai international boat show, we support the growth of the industry overall in the region and in Dubai. We believe that the show this year is bigger, we continue to emphasise the permanency of this show, it is on its 29th edition. We offer the largest marina in the region with amazing and extraordinary facilities, we believe that we cannot work in isolation from the industry, the show allows us to interact with the industry and support the industry and it also allows to bring in innovation. In Dubai harbour we have developed two cruise terminals which are the largest in the Eastern hemisphere in a drive to support the city’s ambition to grow in the cruise tourism sector. We can see double the number of cruise passengers from last season, we welcomed more ships, more variety and we continue to provide the best service and best experience. We believe with the current capacity we have with the two terminals we will continue to support the growth of the number of ship …

The Saudi Red Sea Authority, The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani), and Cruise Saudi welcomed the inaugural visit of the first cruise ship to enter Dammam’s King Abdulaziz Port, with the arrival of MSC World Europa yesterday. Carrying around 5,000 passengers, the ship’s arrival marks a historic moment for Cruise Saudi, Mawani, the Eastern Province and the country; as it opens Saudi Arabia’s coastline on the Arabian Gulf to cruising for the first time. Saudi Red Sea Authority facilitated regulatory arrangements’ efforts to ensure the arrival of MSC World Europa, as the regulator that enables the private sector to practice marine and maritime activities in collaboration with Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mawani, Saudi Tourism Authority and Saudi Cruise to resolve all challenges to attract investment and highlight the rich coastal tourism in Saudi Arabia. Throughout Cruise Saudi’s current cruising season, the ship will make weekly calls at King Abdulaziz Port on its seven-day cruise round trip, which itineraries also include the ports of Doha – where it homeported during November and December last year hosting football fans – Dubai and Abu Dhabi. These visits are in line with Cruise Saudi’s efforts of developing world-class port’s infrastructure to welcome global cruise ships and passengers to explore the country’s diverse offering – by working in conjunction with Saudi Arabia’s Port Authority, Mawani. The occasion was celebrated with the traditional Plaque & Key Exchange Ceremony on board MSC World Europa, attended by representatives of Cruise Saudi, Mawani, and the key Authorities whose efforts and cooperation drove this milestone, including, Saudi Red Sea Authority, and Zakat, Tax & Customs Authority, as well as the ship officials, including Captain of the vessel Marco …

Qatar Tourism (QT) and Mwani Qatar announce the return of the 2022/2023 cruise season and forecast more than 50 cruise liners with approximately 200,000 visitors from now to the end of April 2023. Over the season, cruise liner passengers will be welcomed at the Cruise Terminal, a newly designed infrastructure that pays homage to classic Arabian architecture. Docking in Doha Port, passengers will witness the newly renovated port that recently stood home to major international cruise liners offering ‘floating accommodation’ for thousands of international fans during the tournament, including the MSC World Europa, MSC Opera and MSC Poesia. Located at the Port is the Mina District, one of Qatar’s latest tourism destinations whereby residents and visitors alike can enjoy a diverse offering of restaurants and retail outlets or a refreshing stroll by the sea. For international passengers, the Port is ideally situated within walking distance to iconic landmarks, including the National Museum of Qatar, Souq Waqif, Msheireb Downtown Doha, and the Doha Corniche, where visitors can take in stunning views of the city’s skyline. Commenting on the new cruise season, Maryam Saoud, Head of Tourism Product Support at Qatar Tourism, said: “Qatar’s cruise sector has a history of less than a decade, yet the sector has grown tremendously and now contributes an important pillar to our tourism strategy. We’re seeing continued, increasing preference for Qatar as a destination for both regular cruise calls and cruises with turnaround calls. Indeed, Doha Port’s strategic location in the heart of the city is truly unique and offers our visitors an excellent opportunity to make the most out of their time in Doha. We are ready to welcome thousands of new travellers who are …

Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA), in partnership with RAK Ports, announces the appointment of Zaiton Consultancy to support the Emirate’s cruise tourism. Experts in developing and promoting cruise services, Dubai-headquartered Zaiton Consultancy will be responsible for developing and marketing Ras Al Khaimah’s burgeoning cruise sector.  The announcement comes as the global industry gathers at the Seatrade Cruise Global event in Miami until April 28, where Zaiton Consultancy is participating as Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority’s representative. One of the fastest growing sectors in tourism, cruising saw an annual passenger growth rate of 5.4% from 2009 to 2019, with services now close to pre-pandemic levels owing to immediate action and thoughtful planning. In recognition of the importance of cruise tourism, the Authority and RAK Ports have worked together on a number of projects to further develop the Emirate’s offering. This includes the transformation of its old ferry terminal into a modern and efficient boutique cruise passenger terminal and the development of marine transport infrastructure around it. The Authority has also invested in designing bespoke visitor itineraries for arrivals to attract a larger segment of leisure cruise passengers and welcome new audiences from across the world to the destination. Considered as one of the most diverse and fastest growing destinations in the region, a key part of the Authority’s strategy to attract three million visitors a year by 2030 is to ensure accessibility via all means of transport, including luxury cruise ships. These passengers will be welcomed to the Emirate via the dedicated terminal, which is able to accommodate multiple cruise ships of up to 214m in length docking simultaneously. To ensure a continuation of the service levels luxury …