Miguel Reyna holds a Master of Business Administration from New York University and a degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Lima. He spent most of his career at Royal Caribbean, where he held various positions of responsibility during his more than 19 years with the cruise line. In January 2021, he joined Cruise Saudi.
Article from CruisesNews magazine no. 61 – June 2022
What is Cruise Saudi? Tell us about the company.
Cruise Saudi is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), headquartered in Jeddah, on Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coast. It was founded to lead and guide the development of the port infrastructure and services necessary to establish the cruise market in Saudi Arabia. The company is responsible for coordinating with local, national, and international partners to develop all aspects of the cruise industry in the country, from promoting and welcoming cruise lines to the market, to developing ports in key Saudi tourist destinations, facilitating organized excursions, training local professionals, and all other aspects involved in launching a completely new industry in a country where international tourism is still relatively new.
It has been almost a year and a half since the launch of Cruise Saudi, and we are pleased with the progress made during this time. We have worked closely with relevant ministries and authorities to build the cruise ecosystem and create the appropriate regulations to enable Saudi Arabia to attract more cruise lines and, eventually, become one of the world's leading cruise destinations. During the 2020/2021 summer and winter seasons, we welcomed approximately 50,000 passengers, offering them the opportunity to experience Saudi Arabia through its cruise ports. We have also received several international awards. We can say that the start has been a success, but there is still a long way to go.
We have a solid business plan and all the necessary elements to develop a world-class cruise industry that will be able to receive 1.3 million passenger visits by 2035. As the architect and driving force behind the cruise sector in Saudi Arabia, Cruise Saudi looks forward to welcoming more cruise lines to Saudi shores and continuing to be part of international itineraries.
What is your vision for the future of Cruise Saudi?
The vision is clear and ambitious. Our mandate is to develop a sustainable and fully integrated local cruise industry in Saudi Arabia and make the Red Sea one of the world's leading cruise destinations.
Saudi Arabia has much to offer that the world has yet to see, from pristine beaches and unexplored islands to destinations that showcase Saudi Arabia's rich cultural heritage. Through the development of ports and local destinations, Cruise Saudi has opened a new gateway connecting Saudi Arabia to the rest of the world, and our goal is to showcase the hospitality of the local people and the country's natural beauty in all its splendor.
We know Jeddah, but what other destinations are being developed?
The Islamic Port of Jeddah is our home port and boasts Saudi Arabia's first cruise passenger terminal. Outside of Jeddah, we have the ports of Yanbu on the Red Sea and Dammam on the Persian Gulf.
Yanbu is the coastal gateway to AlUla, which has already become a world-renowned destination for history, culture, and adventure tourism, with its red sand desert landscapes and Nabataean monuments, such as Hegra, the first Saudi site designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest preserved site of the ancient Nabataean civilization south of Petra. AlUla is currently the subject of a major initiative to transform it into the world's largest living museum.
Meanwhile, Dammam's King Abdulaziz Port, the most famous in Saudi Arabia on the Persian Gulf, is home to a modern metropolis, a popular arts, sports and leisure destination, and a gateway to AlAhsa, another UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world's largest oasis, located near "The Empty Room," the world's largest continuous sand desert.
In the future, our goal is to develop up to six ports across the country so that passengers can explore and discover the diversity it offers, its cultural and historical richness, and the natural wonders of Saudi Arabia.
How will inbound tourism compare to outbound tourism?
Saudi Arabia is a vibrant and emerging tourist destination on the world stage. The country boasts stunning landscapes, history, culture, and the warm hospitality of the Saudi people to attract visitors from all over the globe. By developing the necessary infrastructure, including passenger terminals on the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf, Cruise Saudi plans to showcase the true tourism potential of Saudi Arabia.
Cruise Saudi is working closely with the national airline, SAUDIA, to organize efficient global air transport from major cities worldwide, connecting passengers with cruise departures. Summer season cruises made stops at other ports in the region in addition to Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, we have plans to cooperate with other neighboring countries to integrate the region into cruise itineraries for the first time and open new opportunities for other neighboring countries as well.
In an effort to improve accessibility, measures are being implemented to promote inbound tourism, such as direct flights and visa concessions; for example, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently launched an e-visa service for cruise tourists. To date, we have welcomed international cruise passengers from over 80 countries, representing 30% of our total cruise passengers, and we certainly have plans to increase our cruise capacity.
What will the Saudi outbound tourism market look like in 2030?
Tourism will naturally progress for us as Saudi citizens become more accustomed to exploring destinations via cruises, both domestically and internationally. By building awareness and appetite for cruises within the country, we are bringing a previously untapped potential customer base of 34 million people to the global market.
How will Saudi Arabia position itself in the market? What will be the main source markets?
With the capacity and infrastructure to accommodate cruise ships from around the world in the calm, crystal-clear waters of the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf, Saudi Arabia is now in a position to offer tourists the opportunity to explore its unique landscape and astonishing diversity.
The country's inbound tourism is still in its early stages since the tourist visa application process was simplified in 2019. In line with the "Vision 2030" plan, Saudi Arabia aims to increase the number of inbound tourists to 100 million annually.
The country offers superior connectivity compared to the rest of the world: approximately 250 million people from Europe, Asia, and Africa live within a three-hour flight of the Red Sea or the Persian Gulf. During our winter season, we have seen strong interest from across Europe, particularly from Italy, the UK, Germany, and France, as well as from the US and Canada. Looking ahead, we anticipate a robust domestic and regional market, as passengers from Saudi Arabia and across the GCC* region come to experience the cruise lifestyle.
*The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is made up of six Arab countries (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Bahrain, State of Kuwait, Sultanate of Oman, United Arab Emirates and State of Qatar).
When did the first cruise operations begin?
A small trial run was conducted during the summer of 2020 with Silversea, one of the few cruise lines that sailed during the pandemic. The trial was a success and demonstrated that Saudi Arabia could become a highly sought-after cruise market.
In the summer of 2020, Cruise Saudi collaborated with more than ten government agencies to construct a new cruise terminal at the Islamic Port of Jeddah, providing the critical infrastructure necessary to accommodate the world's largest cruise ships, as well as the safe management and handling of passengers in accordance with the strict health protocols in place. Our first full summer season began in July 2021 with the Scenic Eclipse and the MSC Bellissima sailing the Red Sea coast. Since then, we have welcomed more ships from MSC Cruises, Silversea, and Viking Cruises.
Tell us about “Vision 2030.”
Vision 2030 is a strategic positioning plan for Saudi Arabia that aims to leverage the investment power of the Arab and Islamic world to build platforms for future growth and improve the quality of life. Reflecting the Saudi leadership’s desire to open the country to the world, the vision is a strategic framework for diversifying the Saudi economy and developing sectors such as infrastructure, recreation, and tourism.
Cruise Saudi is perfectly aligned with the “Vision 2030” initiative, creating an additional economic pillar, a further engine of growth, and a new dimension and experience for the Saudi tourism industry. With an operational strategy based on sustainability and environmental awareness, the company is opening up new opportunities for tourism, business, entrepreneurship, and culture along its unexplored coastline.
Cruise Saudi is committed to developing the global tourism industry in Saudi Arabia to stimulate foreign investment and connect Saudi Arabia with the rest of the world. The company aims to leverage the country's strategic location at the crossroads of Europe, Africa, and Asia to transform the Arabian Peninsula into a world-class cruise hub by developing six cruise terminals in the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf and attracting major international cruise lines to Saudi waters.
