Saudi Arabia and Qatar join Cruise Arabia Alliance

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Celestyal Cruises in Doha, Qatar

Saudi Arabia and Qatar have joined the Cruise Arabia Alliance, expanding the regional partnership to all six leading GCC cruise destinations: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Oman, Bahrain, Saudi and Qatar.

The agreement, made at the World Travel Market in London, unifies the Gulf’s main ports under a single framework, formalising a new era of cross-regional collaboration.

This alliance signals a shift from regional competition to collective branding and joint promotion, positioning the GCC to compete globally with established cruise regions such as the Mediterranean and Caribbean, not just in infrastructure, but in traveller appeal.

“With this expanded alliance, the Gulf aims to attract more cruise lines, enhance guest experiences and support regional growth,” said Lars Clasen, CEO of Cruise Saudi, the company driving Saudi’s cruise sector development and owner of Aroya, the GCC’s first homegrown line.

Saudi Arabia's Aroya line in Jeddah port

With more than US$1 billion invested in cruise infrastructure – including the recent addition of modern terminals in Jeddah, Dammam and Doha – the Gulf now attracts 1.3 million cruise visitors annually and is poised to capture a much larger share of global sector growth as market value is projected to reach US$45 billion.

The expanded alliance aims to do this by enabling coordinated marketing campaigns, shared development of new infrastructure and the rollout of expanded cruise itineraries linking the Arabian Gulf and Red Sea.

These joint efforts will open new opportunities for cruise lines and make it easier for travellers to explore multiple destinations, with the GCC’s unified visa set for 2026 expected to further accelerate integration.

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One of the main challenges in attracting cruise lines and travellers to the region has been the lack of expansive and varied itineraries – a gap raised at Connections Cruise Arabia, the region’s first dedicated cruise conference held aboard the QEII in September 2025 – and the alliance aims to resolve this.

“With the inclusion of Qatar Tourism and Cruise Saudi, we are growing a collective offering that is richer, more diverse, and more compelling for travellers worldwide,” said Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General of Tourism at the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi.

Adding to this, Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, highlighted plans for “joint marketing at international events and diversified itineraries that highlight our shared heritage and innovation”.

Oman’s Undersecretary for Tourism, Azzan bin Qassim Al Busaidi, added, “Expanding the Cruise Arabia Alliance ensures a diversity of choices, products, and tourism experiences offered to visitors,” while Qatar and Bahrain officials highlighted the impact on connectivity, regional hospitality and economic strategies.

Building on this momentum and shared vision, the region’s cruise leaders will reconvene at Connections Cruise Arabia in 2026, bringing together more than 300 senior industry stakeholders to shape the next phase of Gulf cruise sector growth.

For more information, visit cruisesaudi.com and connectionsluxury.com/cruise-arabia