JEDDAH: Cruise Saudi has hire more senior executives as it begins to ramp up operations and has also revealed plans to invest in the development of ports along the Red Sea coast.
Barbara Grabenweger and Serafin Blazquez have been appointed to focus on Cruise Saudi’s port and shore excursion operations.
Launched by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) in January, Cruise Saudi aims to put the Kingdom on the international cruise map as a tourist destination while generating more than 50,000 jobs in the local tourism industry.
Grabenweger previously worked for Royal Caribbean Group and ITM-Group Mexico, while Blazquez was previously with Intercruises Shoreside and Port Services, and Global Ports Holding.
As director of shore excursions and product development, Grabenweger will oversee service delivery and work with local businesses to develop passenger activities at ports of call.
Blazquez will take on the role of executive director of port and terminal operations with a focus on prioritizing the preservation of the Red Sea’s ecosystem, while developing potential commercial opportunities.
Cruise Saudi will develop routes that allow passengers to explore the Kingdom’s heritage and culture, including UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Speaking at the recent Seatrade Cruise Virtual: Expedition Cruising webinar, Ghassan Khan, chief strategy officer at Cruise Saudi, revealed plans to develop ports along the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf.
“We are focusing on developing six destinations within the next few years, but for this year, we will be activating three cruise facilities along the Red Sea – Jeddah, Yanbu, and Al-Wajh,” said Khan in an interview with Seatrade Cruise.
Three of Saudi Arabia’s five UNESCO World Heritage sites are close to the ports that Cruise Saudi plans to target. “We are in an age of mass tourism and selfie sticks, and these sites are fresh air for expedition tourists,” he added.
Khan pointed out that there was vast potential for the Kingdom to become an important source market for the global cruise sector.
“This is the first time in decades that a new cruise destination has truly opened up, and it’s really a milestone for us as a company and a country, and I believe for the cruise industry as well,” he said.
PIF’s Cruise Saudi outlines port development plans, hires senior staff
https://arab.news/2h8cp
PIF’s Cruise Saudi outlines port development plans, hires senior staff
- Routes will allow passengers to explore KSA cultural sites
- Major employment boost for local tourism sector
DP World announces new leadership appointments
DUBAI: DP World announced the appointment of Essa Kazim as Chairman of its Board of Directors and the appointment of Yuvraj Narayan as Group Chief Executive Officer.
Essa Kazim currently serves as Governor of the Dubai International Financial Centre and Chairman of Borse Dubai. He brings extensive experience in financial and economic affairs, having previously held senior leadership positions in several national institutions.
Yuvraj Narayan has extensive professional experience in financial management, corporate finance, supply chains, and global trade. Since joining DP World in 2004, he has led a number of strategic and transformational initiatives that supported the company’s expansion across international markets and strengthened its role as an integrated global provider of end-to-end supply chain solutions.
Narayan has served as Group Chief Financial Officer since 2005, contributing to the company’s financial resilience and operational efficiency.
DP World affirmed that the new appointments support its strategy for sustainable growth and reinforce its role in strengthening global supply chains and supporting Dubai’s position as a leading hub for trade and logistics.
