Cruise Saudi Announces Development of Private Red Sea Island for Cruise-Ship Tourism

The announcement was made during a ceremony held at Cruise Saudi’s headquarters in Jeddah. SPA
The announcement was made during a ceremony held at Cruise Saudi’s headquarters in Jeddah. SPA
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Cruise Saudi Announces Development of Private Red Sea Island for Cruise-Ship Tourism

The announcement was made during a ceremony held at Cruise Saudi’s headquarters in Jeddah. SPA
The announcement was made during a ceremony held at Cruise Saudi’s headquarters in Jeddah. SPA

Cruise Saudi, a company fully owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and specialized in developing the Kingdom’s cruise tourism sector, announced the signing of a contract with PC Marine Services company to develop a private island in the Red Sea as an exclusive destination for cruise-ship passengers.
The announcement was made during a ceremony held at Cruise Saudi’s headquarters in Jeddah.
This project is a strategic step in Cruise Saudi's vision to enhance the cruise sector in the Kingdom, aligning with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the national economy and increase the contribution of tourism to gross domestic product (GDP).
The new island will reflect authentic Saudi heritage through its design and diverse experiences, enhancing its status as the first of its kind in the Red Sea dedicated to cruise-ship passengers.
It is expected to be ready to welcome visitors by December 2024, positioning itself as a unique and prominent destination on the Kingdom's cruise tourism map.
The project aims to offer tourists a diverse range of recreational activities, both coastal and aquatic, complemented by a variety of unique facilities and services designed to create unforgettable experiences for all visitors. Among the amenities planned are a welcome center, dining area, beach club, private villas, sunbathing spots, and more. During the initial phase, the island will have the capacity to host up to 2,000 guests.
Cruise Saudi executive director of commercial and business development Mashhoor Baeshen said the project will significantly enhance the maritime tourism sector in the Kingdom, with the island poised to become a standout attraction for visitors exploring the Red Sea.
PC Marine Services president and chief executive Adnan Alshareef highlighted that the new island initiative presents a valuable opportunity to contribute to the advancement of the Kingdom's maritime infrastructure, fostering growth within the maritime tourism sector in alignment with the goals of Vision 2030.
PC Marine Services, a prominent player in the maritime project industry, has handled a diverse portfolio of significant projects, including the Obhur Waterfront Development project in Jeddah and the Cruise Berth Improvements project in Jeddah, Yanbu, and Dammam ports.



Gold Prices Inch Higher With US Inflation Data in Focus

A participant shows gold bars during the 21st edition of the international gold and jewelry exhibition at the Kuwait International Fairgrounds in Kuwait City on May 23, 2024. (Photo by Yasser AL ZAYYAT / AFP)
A participant shows gold bars during the 21st edition of the international gold and jewelry exhibition at the Kuwait International Fairgrounds in Kuwait City on May 23, 2024. (Photo by Yasser AL ZAYYAT / AFP)
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Gold Prices Inch Higher With US Inflation Data in Focus

A participant shows gold bars during the 21st edition of the international gold and jewelry exhibition at the Kuwait International Fairgrounds in Kuwait City on May 23, 2024. (Photo by Yasser AL ZAYYAT / AFP)
A participant shows gold bars during the 21st edition of the international gold and jewelry exhibition at the Kuwait International Fairgrounds in Kuwait City on May 23, 2024. (Photo by Yasser AL ZAYYAT / AFP)

Gold prices nudged higher on Thursday, while traders await a key US inflation data due later in the day to gauge the Federal Reserve's future monetary policy stance.
Spot gold was up 0.2% at $2,613.70 per ounce, as of 0602 GMT, after easing for the previous six sessions. Prices scaled a record high last month.
US gold futures also gained 0.2% at $2,630.80, Reuters reported.
The US Consumer Price Index (CPI) for September is due at 1230 GMT and Producer Price Index (PPI) data on Friday.
"If core CPI comes hotter, US Treasury yields will go higher and that is bad for gold. I think there is room for prices to come down, but don't necessarily see a downtrend in the big picture," said Ilya Spivak, head of global macro, Tastylive.
Markets see an 85% chance of a 25-basis-point Fed rate cut in November.
A "substantial majority" of Fed officials at the September meeting supported beginning an era of easier monetary policy with an outsized half-point rate cut, but agreed that further easing will be data-driven, according to its minutes.
The zero-yielding bullion is preferred in a low-interest rate environment as well as amid periods of economic and geopolitical turmoil.
Analysts at BMI increased their 2024 gold price forecast to $2,375 from $2,250, and noted that a potential Fed rate reduction comes against a myriad of geopolitical tensions, with the Middle East jitters and the upcoming US presidential elections at the forefront.
Meanwhile, Israel's plans to strike Iran added to concerns of wider conflict in the Middle East.
Spot silver edged 0.1% higher to $30.48 per ounce.
ANZ upgraded its short-term silver forecast to $34. "Solid industrial demand and stagnant supply are expected to widen the market deficit, presenting a strong investment case," it said.
Platinum added 1.5% to $959.56 and palladium firmed 1% to $1,049.50.