Bahrain will welcome senior executives from major cruise lines at the first Seatrade Middle East Cruise Forum next month.
The Middle East has huge potential for cruise tourism and, with more international and luxury brands deploying ships in the region, passenger numbers are due to rise sharply at all major ports of call.
The Seatrade Middle East Cruise forum will take place from May 10 to 12 when the Kingdom of Bahrain’s Ministry of Culture and Information will host senior executives responsible for itinerary planning from the international and luxury cruise lines. To date, key executives from Carnival, Costa, Holland America, Norwegian Cruise Line, Seabourn, Silversea and TUI are confirmed to participate.
Cruise line executives will experience what Bahrain has to offer and following the familiarisation programme regional stakeholders will have the opportunity to hear from and network with the cruise line executives. The programme will end with a half-day workshop and series of pre-scheduled meetings between Middle East destinations and the cruise lines.
According to Dr Heba Aziz, executive director at the tourism sector of the Ministry of Culture and Information: “Cruise tourism is a key sector for the Kingdom. We are already receiving thousands of visitors weekly for boutique tours that take in key attractions in half and full-day tours, including cultural and leisure highlights. The cruise forum will allow us to showcase Bahrain to the major cruise lines and involve all the industry in discussions on developing cruise tourism across the region.”
Cruise tourism offers huge economic benefit to Bahrain and the region. Research conducted by Tony Peisley and Seatrade found the total spend from a 2,000-passenger ship is US$274,165 per port of call.
Seatrade chairman Chris Hayman said: “Bahrain is the ideal destination to host the first Middle East Cruise Forum. The tourism authority is already bringing together hotels, the port, tour operators, agents, airport and customs to ensure a smooth stop for cruise lines.
“The cruise forum will be the ideal opportunity for these stakeholders to meet the executives responsible for itinerary planning and hear from them what makes a first-class port of call as well as homeport.”