Resorts World Cruises has officially arrived in the Middle East, with luxury cruise ship Resorts World One commencing its first season out of Dubai’s Port Rashid Cruise Terminal.
Based out of terminal 2, the 1,800-passenger vessel will cruise around the Gulf on two-to-three-night cruises with stops in Oman and Qatar as well as other cities in the UAE.
Officials gathered to welcome Resorts World Cruises’ arrival last week, emphasising the significance of the company’s venture to the region.
“It underscores Dubai’s ongoing growth as a premier cruise destination,” said Mr. Saud Hareb Almheiri, Cruise Tourism & Yachting Lead at the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).
According to a report conducted by Tourism Economics, cruising in the Middle East has fallen behind other regions in the world but is quickly playing catch up. This year, cruise occupancy is sitting at around 90% in the Middle East while occupancy is hovering over 111% and 107% in the Caribbean and Mediterranean, respectively.
Fortunately, cruising growth is in sight for the Middle Eastern region thanks to the entrance of new cruise lines such as Resorts World Cruises and Saudi Arabia’s forthcoming AROYA Cruises.
The region is also set to benefit from the collaborative efforts of maritime and tourism authorities of Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Dubai and Oman which recently formalised a Cruise Arabia alliance. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Gulf countries was signed earlier this year, to promote the region globally as a cruise ship destination.
As a group, the Cruise Arabia alliance will work together to enhance the cruise experience for travellers, entice more cruise lines to sail around the region and improve port infrastructure.
How to sell cruising
Travel agents will also play a role in boosting the cruise industry around the Middle East and just in case you need it, here are three simple ways to help you start sell sailings to your clients:
1. Become an expert
Coming soon to Rihlat Travel News is a resources and guides page that will help equip you with the knowledge you need to sell cruising to your clients.
Until then, you can wrap your head around the sector by visiting agent portals available through tourism boards and cruise lines.
2. Get out to ship inspections
You can study your heart out but the best way to learn a product is to experience or see it firsthand.
Try reaching out to your cruise rep and get yourself on a cruise inspection so you can see the ships and their entertainment qualities for yourself – your photos and firsthand stories may be what your clients need to hear to book.
3. Share your cruising pics!
Building your online presence as a travel agent is important in itself, but much-more-so for those who want to sell cruising, a highly lucrative niche.
Creating an aspirational Instagram page or TikTok account with pictures and videos from your time on cruise ships will help establish your public brand as a cruise specialist and turn into new bookings.
