In the forthcoming 2023-2024 season, Bahrain's Khalifa Bin Salman Port is set to welcome 5 new cruise ships, marking a notable expansion in maritime tourism, as revealed on Sunday, September 17th.
According to Dr. Nasser Qaedi (CEO of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority/BTEA), for season 2023-2024 (October through April) the Port has scheduled a total of 47 cruise ship calls/booked berthings. Of these, 5 are maiden (first-time visits) by the companies Windstar (Star Legend), Ponant (Le Bougainville), NCL (Norwegian Dawn), MSC (MSC Virtuosa) and AIDA (AIDAprima).
Other major cruise companies visiting Khalifa Bin Salman Port in 2023-2024 included the ultra-luxury travel brands Oceania, Silversea, Crystal, Phoenix Reisen.
This significant announcement was unveiled during the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority's (BTEA) participation in the Seatrade Cruise Europe Exhibition and Conference, an annual gathering that convenes professionals from the cruise industry to discuss prevailing trends, address challenges, showcase innovations, and facilitate networking within the sector.
Taking place in Hamburg Germany, this event attracted prominent figures from the industry, including leading tourism enterprises, tour operators, decision-makers representing various cruise and river tourism companies, as well as European authorities.
Dr. Qaedi emphasized the pivotal role of this involvement in Seatrade Cruise Europe in bolstering Bahrain's position as a distinctive tourist destination. The initiative allowed Bahrain to showcase its diverse marine tourism attractions and the wide array of experiences it offers to travelers.
Furthermore, he extended invitations to interested parties to explore collaboration opportunities, emphasizing that close partnerships with the Kingdom's ports are instrumental in leveraging these prospects.
Dr. Qaedi reiterated BTEA's commitment to actively participating in international conferences and exhibitions while establishing collaborative ties with prominent cruise companies. These efforts are strategically aimed at fostering mutually beneficial relationships and providing compelling incentives for cruise operators to incorporate Bahrain into their future itineraries, thereby enhancing maritime accommodations for travelers.
This strategic approach, as outlined by Dr. Qaedi, is anticipated to significantly boost tourist arrivals in Bahrain, resulting in a notable increase in tourism sector revenues and a substantial contribution to the national economy.