Cruise Saudi Celebrates Inaugural Visit Of Celestyal Discovery To Jeddah Islamic Port

The Celestyal Discovery, a ship from the Greek cruise line Celestyal Cruises, made its inaugural visit to Jeddah Islamic Port. This marks Saudi Arabia's growing role in Red Sea cruise tourism. The event included an exchange of commemorative plaques, attended by the ship's captain, Cruise Saudi CEO Lars Clasen, Celestyal Cruises CEO Chris Theophilides, and officials from government entities and the maritime sector.

The visit of the Celestyal Discovery comes shortly after the first call of the Celestyal Journey on November 29. Together, these ships brought over 400 tourists from Europe and the United States to Saudi Arabia. This highlights the resurgence of international cruise activity in the Kingdom and increasing interest in Red Sea itineraries.

Cruise Saudi is actively working to enhance the cruise sector by managing berths and terminals and supporting ship operations. To date, they have welcomed more than 600,000 passengers from over 120 countries. This effort aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 by boosting tourism spending, creating jobs, and empowering small and medium enterprises.

The event featured a tour for delegates aboard the ship, showcasing cooperation among stakeholders to advance marine tourism. It also highlighted efforts to improve Saudi ports' readiness for international cruise ships with high operational capacity. These initiatives are crucial for supporting the Kingdom's growing presence in global cruise tourism.

The successive visits by international cruise ships demonstrate increasing confidence in Saudi Arabia's cruise sector. This growth supports objectives outlined in Saudi Vision 2030 by enhancing tourism spending and job creation while empowering local businesses.

Such developments indicate a strong return of international cruise activity to Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom is becoming a significant player on the map of Red Sea cruise tourism, attracting visitors worldwide.

With inputs from SPA