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Jeddah new destination in Silversea expansion plans for Middle East

DUBAI — Silversea cruises is on an expansion mode in the Middle East with Dubai as its hub of operations.

The Bahamas registered, Italian-owned company, with its fleet of four ships - the Silver Cloud, Silver Shadow, Silver Whisper and Silver Wind - has added 27 global destinations on its schedule for 2008.

Of these, Jeddah in Saudi Arabia will be the latest addition to the rapidly growing Middle East region with 14 destinations .

‘Our bookings from the Middle East generally come from the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait and we hope to expand operations through our GSA’s (Global Sales Agents) in other countries,’according to Trudy Redfern, senior vice-president, (sales and marketing, UK, Ireland and the Middle East).

After Dubai , Muscat could drive the award-winning cruise company’s (it was chosen bestsmall ultra-luxury cruise liner) plans for the region with the development of its new cruise terminal.

The company is upbeat about its prospects in this largely untapped market as bookings are coming in equal quantities from expatriate Dubai residents and UAE nationals.

‘This is something we hope to develop in keeping with Silversea’s international mix of guests onboard,’ says Redfern.

Though guarded about revenues and passenger traffic from this relatively virgin market, she is openly optimistic about growth figures, which she expects to soar to over100 per cent in twelve months.

Last year, the company expanded its GSA presence in the UAE region. It now has individual GSAs in Saudi Arabia , Lebanon , Bahrain , Jordan , Egypt and Oman as well. ‘The GSAs handle the sales and marketing for the company at a regional level, educating travel agents about the product and assisting with enquiries and bookings from individual travel agents and consumers alike,’ she explains.

The company also hopes to appoint GSAs for Qatar and Kuwait soon.

As part of its wider promotional plans for the Middle East, Silversea is set to launch its first brochure for the region.

‘The 24-page colour guide will showcase itineraries from December 2007 to December 2008 and will available in both English and Arabic.'

Breaking the ice

Silversea has bought an expedition ship, which is being refurbished at an Italian shipyard. It is expected to join the fleet in the summer of 2008.

‘It will carry approximately 130 passengers in all-suite accommodation and will be the only ultra-luxury, ice-rated expedition ship in the world,’ says Trudy.

A 540-passenger vessel is also under construction at the Fincantierei shipyard in Italy and will join the fleet in 2009.