Cruise Saudi is setting sail on a grand voyage to redefine luxury tourism in Saudi Arabia. In an exclusive interview with Fawaz Farooqui, Managing Director of Cruise Saudi during the WTTC Global Summit in Kigali, we delved into the intricate blueprint of Saudi Arabia’s journey towards becoming a world-class cruise hub.
With the unveiling of Vision 2030, the country has pivoted to tourism as a core pillar for economic diversification. Farooqui shared, “It’s a transformative era for us. Our aspiration is to not just participate in the global cruise industry but to redefine its boundaries and create a niche for Saudi Arabia on the map.”
This aspiration stems from a recent paradigm shift. “Pre-2020, cruise ships skirted the Red Sea without a glance at our ports. We’ve turned the tide on that approach, setting ambitious targets to entice those ships to our shores,” Farooqui remarked, highlighting a past the country is navigating away from. Cruise Saudi’s aim is not only to increase traffic but to cultivate an ecosystem where tourism thrives. “By 2035, we aim for six fully operational ports and 1.3 million cruise passengers, creating a thriving industry and over 50,000 jobs,” he stated, outlining their strategic goals.
“By 2035, we aim for six fully operational ports and 1.3 million cruise passengers…”
The Red Sea project is one of the keystones of this ambitious plan. “The initial phase has already launched, and we’re swiftly progressing with multiple developments slated to open in succession,” Farooqui informed. He spoke of a pace that belies the complexity of such projects, underlining a commitment to swift yet sustainable development.
Discussing Jeddah’s role as a key stopover point, Farooqui’s pride in his heritage was palpable. “Jeddah is more than a city; it’s the historic soul of the kingdom, a treasure trove of culture dating back millennia. We are breathing new life into it while meticulously preserving its ancient essence,” he elucidated. The city’s old town is poised for revitalisation, ensuring that development harmonizes with history.
Cruise Saudi’s own cruise line is another bold move in their strategy. Farooqui elaborated, “Ariya will be a celebration of Saudi culture and hospitality. This initiative will harness the local enthusiasm for cruising, filling a gap in the market and crafting a year-round tourism product that resonates with the unique Arabian spirit.”
The announcement of Cruise Saudi joining the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) two years ago was not just a formality; it has since been described as a “strategic alliance”.
“Being part of WTTC is not an end, but a means to an even greater end,” Farooqui explained. “It’s about leveraging their global network to enhance our capabilities, understanding the nuances of international travel trends, and infusing those learnings into our offerings.”
To this end, Farooqui’s voice and thoughts resounded through the Kigali Convention Centre in Rwanda during the 2023 edition of the WTTC Global Summit, as a true “harbinger of things to come” in the session entitled “A New Source: understanding new and emerging markets”.
Farooqui stressed the significance of his organisation’s collaboration with WTTC when it comes to quality and safety standards, “Through the WTTC, we’re keen to showcase our exceptional tourist services—our top-tier infrastructure, our commitment to safety, and our resolve to grow responsibly in tune with environmental stewardship.”
Echoing these sentiments, Julia Simpson of WTTC lauded Saudi Arabia’s emerging prominence. “The Saudi Travel & Tourism sector is a burgeoning force poised to drive the nation’s economy forward,” she commented. “Our role is to nurture this potential, facilitating a swift recovery and promoting robust growth in the post-pandemic era.”
In Cruise Saudi’s narrative, every statement by Farooqui is a pledge of progress—a future where Saudi Arabia not only joins the ranks of the world’s leading cruise destinations but sets new benchmarks for the industry. It’s a vision shaped by the confluence of ambition, cultural pride, and a forward-looking strategy that promises to steer Saudi Arabia into a new dawn of tourism and economic prosperity.
…
READ ALSO: FIRST SAUDI CRUISE LINE
