MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys to open Saudi Arabia office

The new office, to be based in Jeddah, further demonstrates the division’s commitment to supporting the Kingdom’s plans for its tourism sector.

‘Increasingly important’

The plan was revealed today by Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of MSC Group’s cruise division, as he attended the World Tourism Day conference of the United Nations World Tourism Organization in Riyadh.

MSC has had a presence in the Kingdom since 1996, Vago explained. Its shipping business has grown exponentially in the Kingdom and been an important contributor to the local economy, he added.

‘We are very pleased that on the leisure side of things cruising is growing in popularity in Saudi Arabia and as such is playing an increasingly important role for us,’ said the executive chairman.

‘We are seeing more of the Kingdom’s citizens and residents attracted to the great proposition that cruising offers and as such it is important for us to have a physical presence within the country. We are very much looking forward to opening the doors of our new office that will be dedicated to selling MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys for our local customers.’  

Explora Journeys

Explora Journeys’ second ship, Explora II, will sail in the Middle East in 2024 and will call in Jeddah for Al Ula and Hegra.

MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises will start its third season of Red Sea voyages in November from Jeddah with a new itinerary operated by MSC Orchestra.