Bahrain cruise industry reports...

Sector sees 104% increase in 2024

Bahrain is proving to be one of the beneficiaries in the growing Gulf cruise sector, welcoming a record number of cruise ships in 2024, representing a 104% hike in visitors.

Much of this success is down to the establishment of the Cruise Arabia Alliance at ITB Berlin in 2024, with tourism authorities from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Oman and Bahrain signing a pact to promote cruises across all four destinations.

This multi-destination approach is aligned to the core appeal of cruising, and is supported by the introduction in October 2023 of a GCC visa, similar to the Schengen Zone in the EU, that covers Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain.

Bahrain welcomed 34 ships in 2024 and that record-high already looks like it will be bettered in 2025, with more than 50 ships scheduled for the 2024-2025 winter cruise season which will run until March, with 12 cruise ships featuring the kingdom in its itineraries.

Sara Ahmed Buheji, CEO of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA), said the Cruise Arabia Alliance has been instrumental in attracting cruise operators to the region.

The ships visiting Bahrain include MSC Euribia, AIDAprima and Celestyal Journey, which will all make a dozen port calls this season.

Bahrain’s Khalifa Bin Salman Port (KBSP) cruise terminal, operated by APM Terminals, is equipped to accommodate the world’s largest and most advanced cruise ships, offering seamless passenger handling and top-tier amenities.

Buheji added that visitors are attracted to Bahrain for its beaches, heritage sites, markets and distinct cultural identity, with 100,000 cruise visitors expected this season.

The influx of cruise passengers has a direct impact on the local economy, as Bahrain seeks to boost its tourism offering.

Key attractions include the Bahrain National Museum, the UNESCO World Heritage site Qal’at al-Bahrain and the Bab Al Bahrain Souk.

The current Arabian Gulf cruise season features 87 cruise itineraries departing Dubai, 34 from Abu Dhabi, 41 from Doha and 40 from Jeddah.

For more information, visit www.portal.btea.bh

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