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, reported ONA.
The agreement aims to
utilise 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
programmes and initiatives that these countries will offer, which ensures the
diversity of options, products, and tourism patterns provided to tourists.
He added that Oman has
adopted the best global standards and practices to develop the cruise ship
tourism sector through developing targeted plans and programmes, in addition to
intensified promotional campaigns and programmes to highlight Oman's tourism
features and components.
Oman is also working
with the Cruise Arabia alliance countries to offer distinctive packages and
programmes 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 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.