Yesterday, during the MASAREB Ceremony held in Jazan, the Royal Commission of Jubail and Yanbu (RCJY), represented by the Jazan City for Primary and Downstream Industries (JCPDI), and Cruise Saudi signed a memorandum of understanding with the shared goal of developing accessibility and experiences in this region at the local, regional, and international levels.
From knowledge transfer to alignment on mutually beneficial opportunities, the two entities have a shared vision based on destination setting and positive local impact.
RCJY is moving forward with bold ambitions to develop JCPDI as a major entry point for domestic and international tourists thanks to its infrastructure and strategic location, effectively positioning the city as the main gateway to destinations in the southern region of Saudi Arabia, with Cruise Saudi playing a crucial role by acting as a connection between Jazan and the cruise lines.
The event, which took place at the Grand Millennium Jazan Hotel, welcomed His Royal Highness Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz bin Mohammad bin Abdulaziz, Vice Governor of the Jazan Region, His Excellency the Chairman of the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu, Eng. Khaled Al-Salem, Acting Executive Director of the City of Jazan for Primary and Processing Industries, Dr. Hussain bin Yahya Fadhli, tourism sector leaders, along with a key delegation from Cruise Saudi, including Director General Fawaz Farooqui and CEO Lars Clasen.
Fawaz Farooqui addressed the attendees in a speech that emphasized Cruise Saudi's enthusiasm for collaborating with RCJY on the aligned vision of creating a maritime gateway that welcomes international tourists to explore the Southern Region as part of the Saudi cruise ecosystem.
With pristine beaches, azure seas, verdant forests, and rugged mountain peaks, Jazan is a hidden gem nestled at the tip of Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coast. Stretching over 200 kilometers along the shimmering Red Sea, Jazan aligns with existing Saudi ports operated by Cruise Saudi and provides a solid base from which to embark on exceptional shore excursions, unique experiences, and reveal breathtaking beauty previously unseen by global tourists.
Dr. Hussain bin Yahya Fadhli, acting CEO of JCPDI, said: “Today marks a promising step for us within Saudi Arabia’s thriving tourism sector. We are delighted to explore a partnership with Cruise Saudi as part of our broader ambitions to develop JCPDI Waterfront. With improved access to the southern region as a whole, we aim to transform this area into a thriving hub for business, tourism, and leisure.”.
Lars Clasen, CEO of Cruise Saudi, said: “The reinvention and development of the Jazan Convention and Exhibition Centre (JCPDI) is another important milestone in Saudi Arabia’s tourism journey as part of Vision 2030, of which cruises are a key component. By opening Jazan to tourists from around the world, we can further expand our unique offering of extraordinary and one-of-a-kind tourism experiences that have previously gone untapped. We are excited to see what the future holds for Cruise Saudi and a destination with such enormous potential for international tourism.”.
With the goal of welcoming 1.3 million cruise passengers to experience Saudi Arabia by sea by 2035, Cruise Saudi continues to expand its offering as a major player on the global cruise stage. Through a diverse mix of curated, high-quality shore experiences, as well as the ongoing development and operation of premium cruise ports and terminals in Saudi Arabia, Cruise Saudi offers a strong and unique value proposition to global cruise lines.
