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Cruise Saudi sets sail for $200m tourism windfall

By Shruthi Nair
  • Kingdom wants to position Jeddah as global cruise port destination
  • Cruise firm aims for 1.3m passengers by 2035
  • Cruise tourism industry worth $150bn

Cruise Saudi estimates it will contribute $200 million in revenues to the kingdom by 2035, as the Public Investment Fund-owned company develops ports for cruise passengers.

In a video interview with AGBI its chief asset development and port operations officer Miguel Reyna said: “On average, when a ship comes to the port, 35 percent of the guests go on tours. Our hope is that 70-80 percent of the passengers will go.”

Launched in 2021, Cruise Saudi’s business model revolves around positioning Jeddah as a global cruise port destination.

Three Saudi ports are capable of handling cruise liners – Yanbu Commercial Port, Jeddah Islamic Port and King Abdulaziz Port Dammam – and these have helped develop the kingdom’s cruising sector over the last two years.

With Cruise Saudi aiming to attract 1.3 million passengers by 2035, the kingdom joins its GCC neighbours in targeting the $150 billion cruise tourism industry.

Watch the full video to learn more about the company’s ambitious plans to develop the kingdom’s port city.

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