Etihad Rail partners with Italian firm Arsenale to launch luxury train service in the UAE

Etihad Rail partners with Italian firm Arsenale to launch luxury train service in the UAE

RIYADH: Travelers will have access to a luxury train service in the UAE after national railway network operator Etihad Rail partnered with Italian hospitality firm Arsenale Group in a move to boost tourism and showcase the country’s heritage and scenic attractions.

The firms signed a memorandum of understanding during the two-day Middle East Rail Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi to roll out the 15-carriage transit option that will travel throughout the UAE toward the border with Oman.

The project will see the Italian company completely refurbishing carriages in specialized factories located in Puglia and Sicily, Italy.

The UAE will be among the first countries in the world to have a luxury cruise service with a fully customized train, Arsenale Group said in a press statement.

“By establishing a luxury train experience, we are introducing a unique world-class offering to the region and contributing to boosting the tourism sector in the UAE. Furthermore, we will be able to showcase the country’s diverse heritage and beauty to visitors from around the world,” Shadi Malak, CEO of Etihad Rail said..

There are plans to extend the service to the wider Gulf Cooperation Council region once the railway project becomes operational.

This is Arsenale’s second project in the region