Inaugural Connections Cruise Arabia welcomes nearly 200 senior delegates

Nearly 200 senior travel and cruise professionals attended the inaugural Connections Cruise Arabia Leadership Summit in Dubai on September 18.

The invitation-only event, held on board Queen Elizabeth 2 at Port Rashid, was supported by headline partner Emirates and leading cruise lines including Azamara, Celebrity Cruises, Celestyal Cruises, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Silversea and Transcend Cruises.

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the leading trade association representing the global cruise industry, also participated in the event.

Global executives, government stakeholders, leading travel agents and representatives from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism and Cruise Saudi were among the delegates in attendance.

The event, created by Aspire parent company Jacobs Media, featured panel sessions, market insights and closed-door discussions.

It also marked the launch of a bespoke Cruise Insight Report including a data-led analysis of global and regional cruise trends.

The report found the global luxury cruise fleet has more than tripled since 2010, rising from 28 ships to almost 100 in 2023. By 2028, it is forecast that 1.5 million travellers will choose a luxury cruise.

The average cruise passenger is now 46 years old, the report revealed, with 36% under the age of 40.

Younger travellers in particular are said to be driving demand for expedition and exploration voyages. Between 2023 and 2024, passenger numbers in this sector rose by 22%. There are now 40 purpose-built exploration cruise ships in operation, with global expedition capacity forecast to grow by 150% between 2019 and 2029.

Clive Jacobs, founder and chairman of Jacobs Media, said: “Connections Cruise Arabia is an exciting platform to drive growth in one of the most innovative and ambitious travel sectors.

“Together we have an opportunity to position this region as an epicentre for cruise tourism, that can redefine the sector. The future of cruising in the Gulf is gaining significant momentum and this event is just the starting point of what’s to come.”

Matthew Scott, Emirates’ senior vice-president of network passenger sales development, added: “Emirates’ participation in Connections Cruise Arabia 2025 reflects our commitment to Dubai and the wider region’s cruise future. We hope today’s engaging discussions and insights will unlock the strategic growth initiatives and potential Emirates has been helping to build. 

“Emirates has been a key contributor to Dubai’s emergence as a premier cruise destination. Our partnerships with a growing number of cruise operators, and continued collaboration with local stakeholders to further develop the city’s infrastructure and create more seamless air-sea experiences, is accelerating Dubai’s trajectory as a maritime tourism hub.”

Jacobs Media said the summit served as a “launchpad” for an expanded forum in 2026.

Next year’s two-day gathering will introduce a new-to-cruise platform and bring together senior cruise leaders, suppliers and travel agents for pre-scheduled one-to-one meetings, keynote sessions, panel discussions and networking opportunities.

The group said the event would “further connect the global cruise industry with the Gulf’s key decision-makers, strengthening the region’s position as a leading hub for cruise tourism”.