Al Madinah Region in Saudi Arabia will soon appear on more shore excursion options

Al Madinah Region in Saudi Arabia is set to become a major inland shore excursion option for cruise lines visiting the country following the signing of an MoU between Cruise Saudi and Al Madinah Region Development Authority.

The memorandum of understanding aims to foster economic development in the Al Madinah Region, focusing on social impact both locally and across Saudi Arabia, with a focus on enhancing access to Al Madinah, developing the region and expanding facilities to accommodate more tourists.

Cruise Saudi is the primary authority in the Kingdom charged with growing the national cruise tourism sector, and Saudi Arabia’s position as a major cruise destination. It is also the parent company of homegrown cruise line Aroya Cruises, suggesting Al Madinah will be a signature destination for the brand.

The signing took place at this year’s Saudi Tourism Forum in Riyadh, the annual event that promotes Saudi as a tourist destination, with Cruise Saudi and Aroya Cruises forming a key component of Saudi Arabia’s wider plans to welcome 150 million tourists annually by 2030.

Cruise Saudi has stated it plans to attract at least one million cruise tourists to the country by the same date.

“Unique in history and culture, Al Madinah has so much to offer tourists seeking an authentic Saudi experience,” said Mashhoor Baeshen, Executive Director, Destinations Development and Management at Cruise Saudi.

“Cruise Saudi’s signing of the MoU with Al Madinah Region Development Authority marks our commitment to showcasing the most significant historical sites of Saudi through a carefully curated array of onshore experiences,” he added.

With a wealth of historic wonders and modern attractions, including the coastal city of Yanbu where cruise ships dock, the Madinah region provides a diverse range of experiences for exploration.

Al Madinah Region is home to the city of Medina, the second most holy city in Islam, as well as archaeological wonders such as Khaybar, home to Jewish tribes 2,000 years ago, and Hegra (Al-Hijr) which dates back to the Nabataean Kingdom of Petra fame.

These sites lie a few hours inland of Yanbu port, which itself a historic city dating back 2,500 years, when it was a staging point on the spice and incense route from Yemen to Egypt and the Mediterranean region.