Oman
Welcomes Cruise Arabia Alliance’s Regional Expansion Agreement

Muscat,
11 Nov (ONA) — 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 utilize 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
programs 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
programs 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.

For
his part, 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.

—Ends/AG