Saudi Arabia to open a private island for cruise passengers

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Saudi Arabia is investing heavily in the cruise industry, with the hopes of drawing more than 1.3 million high-spending passengers annually by 2035 — just less than 1 per cent of the Kingdom’s newly revised target of 150 million visitors per year by the end of this decade.

It comes amid a major regional focus on the sector, with Dubai set to welcome more than 300,000 visitors this season from 49 ships — a four-fold increase from 2021’s figure of 70,000 tourists.

Regional cruises often stop in the UAE and Qatar, but now Saudi is eyeing its place on the map. Talks with international operators are underway to add ports in Jeddah, Yanbu and Dammam to itineraries, opening the door to thousands of visitors arriving by the boatload.

According to Colleen McDaniel, the editor-in-chief of review website CruiseCritic, visitors from Europe and America book trips featuring Middle East stops to experience the culture without any concerns about navigating local etiquette.

“Passengers coming to the region on cruises are often very curious travellers who have seen much of the world already,” she said. “They see cruising as a great way to visit the Middle East because the ships will help with every aspect of the journey, from visa requirements to dress codes.”

The launch of the private island is ultimately an opportunity for Saudi to capture the attention of international tourists who might never have considered exploring the Kingdom if it weren’t part of their broader regional itineraries.

“I’d definitely consider it,” said Anika Berger, a communications consultant and cruise enthusiast from Australia who has called Dubai for more than 20 years. “It’s a fantastic way to explore heritage sites and emerging cities all in a quick, easy week. Plus, with all the buffets and all-inclusive restaurants, it’s basically one giant floating brunch.”

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