First dedicated Middle East cruise event spotlights rising regional ambition

The agenda united senior leaders from ports, destinations, cruise lines and airlines, as well as regional travel agencies to explore ways the Middle East can attract more ships, deepen industry partnerships and build a robust network of well-trained cruise agents to meet rising regional demand.

This push for stronger collaboration is timely as global cruise tourism continues to break records: passenger numbers are expected to exceed 35 million by 2026, with the market’s value approaching US$45 billion by 2029. 

RELATED:

Introducing the 2025 Cruise Insight Report

Speakers confirmed for Connections Cruise Arabia 2025
Groundbreaking new event to drive cruise growth in Gulf region

The Gulf has emerged as a major driver of this growth, investing over US$1 billion in port and tourism infrastructure and now welcoming 1.3 million cruise visitors annually.

Clive Jacobs, Chairman and Founder of Jacobs Media, summed up the summit’s vision: “Connections Cruise Arabia marks the realisation of my long-held vision to connect the cruise industry with the Gulf’s extraordinary potential. This event is more than a gathering of like-minded individuals, it’s a bridge between aspiration and action.”

Amplifying these themes, the summit featured a powerhouse speaker lineup including dnata CEO John Bevan, Emirates’ SVP of Network Passenger Sales Development, Matthew Scott and Mashoor Baeshen, Executive Director of Commercial and Business Development of Cruise Saudi, as well as senior executives from Royal Caribbean, Celestyal, TUI Cruises, MSC Cruises and Aroya.

Two key panel discussions addressed both inbound and outbound market opportunities for the Middle East. The first, led by Andy Harmer, Managing Director UK&I of CLIA, explored the benefits of cruising in the Arabian Gulf, looking at how Middle East destinations and ports can attract more international cruise lines and increase their appeal to international travellers. 

Panelists emphasised the need to extend the cruise season beyond the traditional winter months and to broaden itineraries across the region. They agreed on one key point: collaboration among stakeholders is essential, with travel agents playing a crucial role in driving market growth.

Anna Gregori, VP of Brand, PR and Customer Experience at Celestyal Cruises, stressed the importance of agent education: “We need to educate trade agents and advisors about the region, make them aware of the rich culture and options across the Middle East, and create programmes so they can in turn educate guests.”

The second panel, steered by Lakshmi Durai, CEO of Cruise Xplore, turned to outbound potential. She noted, “Less than 1% of the Middle East population has taken a cruise, compared to 15 to 60% in the United States, so we clearly have an opportunity to grow this market.” 

Low awareness, she argued, is not a challenge but a chance for agencies and cruise lines to lead the market’s development.

Reinforcing the agent role, Mohamed Saeed, Managing Director of Royal Caribbean Arabia, said: “Travel agents make up 85% of our business, so cruise lines are dependent on them. We need to unify as cruise lines and push forward the education piece.”

Momentum from the event sets the stage for an expanded two-day Connections Cruise Arabia 2026, expected to attract more than 300 senior leaders from across the global cruise and travel ecosystem to further shape the Gulf’s cruise future.

“This is just the beginning,” Jacobs said. “Next year we will showcase this incredible sector on an even bigger stage, the region’s first full-scale B2B cruise forum. Today was about setting the tone; September 2026 will be about setting the pace.”

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