The Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) and Cruise Saudi will co-participate at Seatrade Cruise Global in Miami, USA – one of the biggest annual cruise and tourism events welcoming industry professionals from over 100 countries.

The event will be held from April 25 until 28 this year, marking Saudi representation for a second year.

STA and Cruise Saudi teams will highlight the country’s rich and diverse offering and update attendees on progress toward establishing Saudi as not only a premier cruising hub but a new, unique tourism destination. Alongside STA and Cruise Saudi, representatives from The Rig, the Royal Commission for AlUla, Albalad Historic Jeddah, and SAUDIA will also be present, which is a significant expansion from last year’s participation.

From Cruise Saudi, Chief Executive Officer Lars Clasen, Chief Strategy Officer Ghassan Khan, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer Norbert Stiekema, Chief Development & Asset Management Officer Miguel Reyna and Executive Director – Asset & Facility Management, Barbara Buczek will be in attendance as well as Board Member Karl Holz.

There will also be a dedicated booth at the event where Cruise Saudi ambassadors will share the company’s achievements, successes and itineraries, featuring additional destinations and shore excursions. STA ambassadors will showcase Saudi’s flourishing tourism industry and ongoing initiatives to enrich and expand the offering.

“We are delighted to co-participate in Seatrade Cruise Global with STA – the organization dedicated to driving tourism in Saudi and attracting an increasing number of visitors each year. As a bridge between land and sea, our goal is to showcase and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Saudi and what the destination has in store for domestic and international tourists,” said Cruise Saudi CEO Lars Clasen.

“Our partnerships with key government stakeholders such as STA, as well as with private-sector entities, have been critical in developing the necessary cruise infrastructure and services to welcome cruise ships carrying more than 50,000 passengers to Saudi.

“In line with Vision 2030, the Saudi leadership’s overarching transformation plan for the country, Cruise Saudi is developing the local cruise industry as an additional economic engine to the flourishing tourism industry. At the Seatrade Cruise Global Awards last year, we were honoured as a finalist in the category of Destination of the Year; and at this year’s event, we look forward to presenting Cruise Saudi as the newest player in the global cruise arena and how we plan to elevate our offering,” he added.

Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO and Member of the Board at STA, said, “Saudi is the authentic home of Arabia: a vibrant, youthful destination with a rich cultural heritage brought to life by the unparalleled hospitality of the Saudi people. Participating at events like Seatrade Cruise Global is an opportunity to introduce people to the real Saudi and highlight the many exciting opportunities that the country’s tourism sector offers.”

“We are proud to represent the country in partnership with Cruise Saudi – the company that is driving the development of a fully integrated, world-class and sustainable local cruise industry in Saudi.

“Saudi is investing more in tourism than any country in the world and cruise is central to our strategy of helping more travellers connect with our stunning unspoiled landscapes, our untapped islands and beaches and the extraordinary welcome that lies at the heart of the culture and its people. We invite the world to come and discover Saudi,” Hamidaddin added.

Cruise Saudi works closely with national entities such as STA, Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani), the Red Sea Gateway Terminal, Saudi Customs and Immigration, Saudi Border Guard, Jeddah Chamber of Commerce, and several ministries including Transport, Culture, Health and Tourism. Collectively, the aim is to ultimately establish Saudi as one of the leading tourism destinations worldwide. – TradeArabia News Service