Saudi Arabia wants more cruises on the Red Sea, signs deal with Switzerland’s MSC

Saudi Arabia’s first cruise down the Red Sea set sail in August last year as part of efforts to highlight its tourism and heritage locations. Now the Kingdom wants more.

Cruise Saudi, a wholly-owned company of sovereign wealth fund PIF, has signed a deal with Swiss-based MSC Cruises, according to a statement on Wednesday (Apr 21).

MSC Cruises operates 18 vessels and will deploy two to Saudi Arabia.

MSC Magnifica will homeport in Jeddah and operate seven-day cruises from November this year to March 2022.

MSC Virtuosa will call at the port of Dammam every week from December this year to March.

The two companies expect up to 170,000 guests on board the two cruise ships during the upcoming winter 2021/22 season.

MSC Cruises is part of MSC Group, the giant shipping and logistics conglomerate. It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.

Cruise Saudi is keen on a long-term partnership with MSC Cruises, managing director Fawaz Farooqui said in the statement.

The Saudi Tourism Authority launched its Red Sea cruises campaign last year to encourage residents to explore more of the country as the pandemic shut down international travel.

It is also part of the Kingdom’s efforts to open up its tourism sector, that includes the development of the Red Sea coast with luxury hotels, resorts, islands, an international airport, and leisure and lifestyle amenities.

© SalaamGateway.com 2021 All Rights Reserved