IslamiCruise targets 6,000 tourists to Malaysia by 2026
KUALA LUMPUR, 22 January 2025 — IslamiCruise International Sdn Bhd (IslamiCruise International), a pioneer in Islamic cruise tourism, is optimistic about attracting 6,000 tourists to Malaysia through the IslamiCruise Malaysia-Saudia voyage by January 2026.
The two-way cruise between Saudi Arabia and Malaysia is the result of a collaboration between IslamiCruise and Aroya Cruises, a Saudi government-owned cruise line.
Suhaimi Abd Ghafer, founder of IslamiCruise International, stated that 70 per cent of the targeted passengers would be foreign tourists. This aligns with efforts to draw more visitors to Malaysia in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2026.
“As a key player in the Islamic tourism industry both in Malaysia and globally, we are confident that our uniqueness and strengths will position Malaysia as a Muslim-friendly travel destination for tourists from Saudi Arabia, the Middle East, Europe, and Southeast Asia,” he said at the launch of IslamiCruise Malaysia-Saudia today.
The event was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who described the partnership as a historic milestone in strengthening tourism ties between Malaysia and Saudi Arabia. He expressed confidence that IslamiCruise’s success would serve as a catalyst for the government’s efforts to position Malaysia as a preferred tourist destination in 2026.
“IslamiCruise’s achievement reflects the aspirations of the Madani government to attract more tourists, with a target of 35.6 million visitors, expected to generate over RM147.1 billion for the country,” he said.
The agreement, signed on 11 August 2024, marks the fifth collaboration since IslamiCruise pioneered the Islamic cruise tourism industry a decade ago. Since its inception, the company has served more than 10,000 customers through 52 cruise voyages.
The Malaysia-Saudia voyage also sets a record as the world’s longest chartered cruise service, with a continuous sailing duration of 26 nights. During the journey between Saudi Arabia and Malaysia, passengers will make stops at four key destinations: Salalah in Oman, Male in the Maldives, and Banda Aceh in Indonesia.
This voyage is designed as a unique halalan toyyiban experience, offering a spiritual retreat with various Muslim-friendly activities, including congregational prayers, scholarly talks, and Islamic-themed entertainment such as live performances and recreational events.
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