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‘Cruise Saudi’ Works to Expand Maritime Access Globally

The tourism sector is one of the key pillars in achieving Vision 2030. (Cruise Saudi)
The tourism sector is one of the key pillars in achieving Vision 2030. (Cruise Saudi)
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‘Cruise Saudi’ Works to Expand Maritime Access Globally

The tourism sector is one of the key pillars in achieving Vision 2030. (Cruise Saudi)
The tourism sector is one of the key pillars in achieving Vision 2030. (Cruise Saudi)

As the season of Islamic holidays approaches, people are looking for ways to unwind, with coastal tourism being a popular choice.

Cruise Saudi, owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), is gearing up to open new maritime routes, making it easier for tourists to explore more of Saudi Arabia.

Cruise Saudi’s Chief Strategy Officer Ghassan Khan revealed plans to develop Jazan port as a new stop for global cruise ships, allowing passengers to explore the Kingdom’s southwest region.

Additionally, the company aims to boost tourism in Madinah, making it easier for visitors to access historical sites.

Cruise Saudi has been instrumental in attracting tourists to Saudi Arabia, aligning with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals.

Khan noted the company’s significant growth, including the development of three strategic ports in collaboration with government and private partners.

In 2023, Cruise Saudi welcomed over 170,500 visitors from 120 countries, and 13 inaugural visits by international cruise companies.

Khan emphasized the growing interest in exploring Saudi Arabia’s history and culture among passengers.

Looking ahead, Cruise Saudi aims to open 10 ports by 2035, expecting to attract 1.3 million visitors through cruise ships, contributing to the Kingdom’s tourism sector growth.

Khan underscored that 77% of the company’s workforce is Saudi, and it aims to create 50,000 tourism-related jobs in the Kingdom by 2035, benefiting the local workforce, particularly youth.

Additionally, the company is collaborating with local universities and government bodies to provide training and skills development for Saudis looking to work in the tourism sector, including maritime tourism.

Cruise Saudi is also working closely with international cruise companies to include the Kingdom in its routes, and it is designing various tours to appeal to visitors of all ages and backgrounds.

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Kuwait Seeks to Offer Flexible Incentives to Attract Foreign Investments

Kuwait City (Asharq Al-Awsat file photo)
Kuwait City (Asharq Al-Awsat file photo)
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Kuwait Seeks to Offer Flexible Incentives to Attract Foreign Investments

Kuwait City (Asharq Al-Awsat file photo)
Kuwait City (Asharq Al-Awsat file photo)

Mohammad Yaqoub, Assistant Director General for Business Development at Kuwait’s Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA), announced that Kuwait is actively working to boost investments in emerging sectors such as the management of government facilities, hospitals, and ports, including Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port.

He added that his country is collaborating with Saudi Arabia on joint projects, notably the development of a railway linking the two nations.

Speaking at the 28th Annual Global Investment Conference in Riyadh, Yaqoub highlighted the 650-kilometer railway project, which is expected to cut travel time between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait to under three hours. He clarified that this initiative is separate from the broader GCC railway network under development.

The official further emphasized Kuwait’s commitment to offering streamlined processes and incentives to attract foreign investment in critical sectors such as oil and gas, healthcare, education, and technology.

Since January 2015, the Gulf country has attracted cumulative foreign investments valued at approximately 1.7 billion Kuwaiti dinars ($5.8 billion). During the 2023–2024 fiscal year, KDIPA reported foreign investment inflows amounting to 206.9 million Kuwaiti dinars ($672 million).

Yaqoub stressed that KDIPA is focused on creating an investor-friendly environment by offering flexible incentives to attract international companies. He noted Saudi Arabia’s achievements in this area and highlighted his country’s efforts to provide comparable benefits to foreign investors.

He also expressed optimism about the potential for growth in foreign investments in Kuwait, emphasizing their role in advancing economic development in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Yaqoub also underscored the strong synergy between the Kuwaiti and Saudi markets, which he said will help accelerate economic progress across the region.