Saudi Red Sea Authority (SRSA) has issued the first maritime tourism agent license for cruise ships to “Cruise Saudi”, a Public Investment Fund owned business based in Jeddah, KSA.
As the maritime tourism agent license was handed by the Vice President of Coastal Tourism Operations at SRSA, Eng. Mohammed Bukhari, to the Chief Destination Experiences Officer at Cruise Saudi, Mrs. Barbara Buczek, at the Cruise Saudi headquarters in Jeddah.
This step marks a significant milestone in the development of a promising coastal tourism sector, and it falls under SRSA’s enablement roles. Licensing and permitting will help in regulating coastal tourism activities within the geographical scope. This will enable and encourage practitioners and investors in the coastal tourism sector.
Whereas the maritime tourism agent’s role includes providing services for marine watercrafts- such as yachts and cruise ships – to practice safe and sustainable marine navigational tourism activities, SRSA will ensure that the licensed maritime tourism agents facilitate marine watercrafts movements within the Kingdom’s waters and their adherence to best sustainable standards and practices.
About the Saudi Red Sea Authority:
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Established in November 2021, the Saudi Red Sea Authority (SRSA) aims to enhance integration between entities by issuing licenses, developing policies, determining infrastructure needs, preserving the marine environment, enabling SMEs, and promoting marine tourism to boost the national economy.
About Cruise Saudi:
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Launched in 2021, Cruise Saudi develops infrastructure for Saudi Arabia’s cruise market. It operates three strategic ports: Jeddah Islamic Port, Yanbu Commercial Port, and King Abdulaziz Port. To date, Cruise Saudi has welcomed over 370,000 passengers from more than 120 nationalities. In June 2023, it launched AROYA Cruises, the first Arabian cruise line, offering unique Arabian experiences.
