Tuesday 11 / November / 2025
Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman, represented by the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, welcomed the regional expansion agreement of Cruise Arabia Alliance with the joining of Cruise Saudi and Qatar Tourism. This step enhances the cruise tourism sector in the region and provides more advantages to establish the Gulf as a leading cruise tourism destination.
The agreement aims to utilise the full maritime potential and capabilities of the Gulf region as a sustainable global hub for cruise trips that connects many destinations. The Cruise Arabia Alliance brings partners together under a joint commitment to expand cruise tourism, develop infrastructure, enhance joint marketing initiatives, invest in ports, and establish standards for operational excellence and growth in all aspects of the cruise sector.
Azzan Qasim Al Busaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism for Tourism, stated that enhancing cooperation and the alliance with Cruise Arabia, along with the expansion of the countries joining it, will add efficient tourism mainstays to Oman's cruise ship tourism sector. This is in view of the programmes and initiatives that these countries will offer, which ensures the diversity of options, products, and tourism patterns provided to tourists.
He added that the Sultanate of Oman has adopted the best global standards and practices to develop the cruise ship tourism sector through developing targeted plans and programs, in addition to intensified promotional campaigns and programmes to highlight Oman's tourism features and components.
The Sultanate of Oman is also working with the Cruise Arabia alliance countries to offer distinctive packages and programs that cover tourist products satisfying various aspirations and desires.
Khalid Al Azri, Director of the Tourism Patterns Department at the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, said that the Sultanate of Oman constitutes a major maritime destination thanks to its strategic location, and seeks to form a sustainable and attractive maritime tourism sector for ships of all sizes, while continuously working to operate new routes.
It is worth noting that the expanded Cruise Arabia alliance underscores the commitment of all concerned parties in the GCC region to the growth of the marine tourism sector in the region, especially in light of economic growth, evolving lifestyles, and the increasing travel options for families and individuals, which in turn contributes to increased demand for this type of trip.
The partners aim to provide integrated services to enhance the sector, solidify a shared vision for the future of maritime tourism, and promote the region on the global stage.
