AROYA Brings 3,400 Tourists to Aqaba from Jeddah
The ship docked at eight in the morning and is due out at nine in the evening, with shuttle buses assigned for downtown Aqaba, Petra and Wadi Rum.
AROYA arrived at Aqaba Port on Friday from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, carrying around 3,400 tourists, most of them Saudi nationals. Approximately 1,200 crew members were also aboard. The call includes a shore program covering Aqaba, Petra and Wadi Rum.
Thabet Al-Nabulsi, Tourism and Youth Commissioner at the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority, said cruise arrivals were increasing visitor numbers and generating business for commercial and service operators connected to tourism.
The ship docked at 8 a.m. at the Aqaba Cruise Terminal at Marsa Zayed. For passengers traveling into downtown Aqaba, the area opposite the City Services Building has been designated as the pickup and drop-off point.
Nine shuttle buses have been assigned to transport tourists between the port and downtown. A further 10 buses are allocated to tours of Aqaba’s principal attractions, while eight tourist buses will take passengers to Petra and two will serve Wadi Rum.
Al-Nabulsi said the authority would continue supporting maritime tourism and seeking additional cruise calls. He described receiving cruise ships as important to strengthening Aqaba’s standing as a maritime tourism destination.
The excursion buses are scheduled to return in the evening. AROYA is due to depart Aqaba at 9 p.m. the same day.
