Cruise takes centre stage at...

Segment fuelling tourism boom in the Middle East, with first dedicated cruise event set to take place in 2026

The growing cruise sector in the Middle East was a key talking point at Arabian Travel Market 2025, which welcomed a record 55,000 trade professionals to Dubai, representing a 16% increase on last year's edition. Attendees comprised 19% from the region and 81% from the rest of the world.

An ATM panel discussion highlighted the progress made in establishing the Arabian Gulf as a premier cruise destination.

Statistics from Tourism Economics (An Oxford Economics Company) show the growth of the cruise sector, with a 25% increase in deployment between 2019 and 2024. In the Middle East, a relatively new market for cruise, the average number of cruise days increased by 125%, albeit from a low starting point.

The panel said the Middle East’s emergence as a cruise destination has been driven by investments, collaboration and growing customer demand for immersive travel experiences. The launch of Aroya Cruises, Saudi Arabia’s first luxury cruise line, was also a hot topic, as well as the role of the Cruise Arabia Alliance – comprising Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain and Oman government entities – working together for the betterment of the sector.

Set to accelerate the growth of the sector, Jacobs Media, owner of Dubai-based Connecting Travel, launched Connections Cruise Arabia at ATM, a landmark two-day event taking place in March 2026 that will bring together more than 300 senior leaders and influencers from across the global cruise and travel ecosystem to shape the future of cruise.

Supporting the cruise sector too, Dubai-based Emirates made a number of partnerships at ATM, including with Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, a leading line in the luxury and expedition sector in Germany, to develop and market luxury air-sea packages and campaigns in key markets.

Dubai has become a key port, attracting 187 ships and more than 280,000 passengers in 2024, according to Dubai Customs.

For more information, visit www.wtm.com and onnectionsluxury.com/cruise-arabia

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