Smart Own

In Saudi after 20 years — and what a transformation.

Two decades ago, visiting required a pre-approved visa, endless paperwork, and patience. Despite having the visa stamped in my passport, I still spent five hours stuck at Riyadh Airport because it wasn’t yet showing in their system. Back then, visas were delivered physically on compact disks via diplomatic bag, and I had arrived earlier than the bag itself.

This time, I walked up to passport control in shorts, purchased a multiple-entry visa on arrival, valid for a year, in under two minutes. I was greeted with smiles and genuine warmth everywhere I went.

At my hotel, the entire front desk team were courteous Saudi women. In cafés and high-end restaurants, men and women now sit together naturally — a scene unimaginable back then.

Saudi Arabia is not the UAE — and may never be as progressive — but the transformation is nothing short of remarkable. From one of the world’s most conservative societies to a country eager to open up, innovate, and connect — it deserves our utmost respect and admiration.

I’ve witnessed a society of 35 million people eager to live, love, and prosper. Once hesitant to return, I now genuinely want to be part of Vision 2030 and contribute to the growth of this promising nation.

Currently in Jeddah for the next two days — if you’re around and would like to talk boats, give me a shout.

Toufic Hobeika
CEO @ Smart Own

Destination: The Bahamas 🌴
We’re proud to welcome Captains Gregory Flowers and Kenneth Amosin of MSC Ocean Cay to the Gulf Craft shipyard in Umm Al Quwain. After a grueling 16-hour journey from Nassau to Dubai, they joined us for the sea trials of MSC Ocean Cay’s second Touring 36.
The growing number of repeat orders from corporate clients is a clear testament to the Touring 36’s unmatched value. No other passenger boat checks as many boxes as the world’s best-selling model.
Discover more about the Touring 36 at www.smartown.ae

Spotted: The world’s best-selling passenger boat — the Touring 36 — taking a well-deserved break in the pristine waters of Seychelles, after delighting tourists on the route between Mahé, Praslin, and La Digue.

Available now: Skip the 1-year wait! Limited stock of Touring 36 ready to ship.

Get your hands on the world’s favorite passenger boat today.
Contact us to secure yours on www.smartown.ae

Honored to welcome all the way from Papua New Guinea, his honorable minister MP Elias Kapavore who made the long trip to the UAE to personally attend the sea trials of the World’s Best Selling passenger boat the Touring 36 to operate in his Pomio district of PNG.
Minister Elias and his CEO John Liskia enjoyed the unique Smart Own client experience where we conduct insightful sea trials followed by a factory tour of Gulf Craft shipyard and completed with a casual lunch to celebrate the successful delivery of a new passenger boat to our esteemed customers.
At Smart Own we don’t just sell boats. We build relationships.