Qatar Tourism and Mwani Qatar participated in the reception of the Celestial Journey as the ship docked on Qatari shores as part of its first tour of the Arabian Gulf region. The arrival of Celestial Journey is one of the highlights of Qatar’s 2024/2025 cruise season, which is set to see 95 cruises, including 33 return flights, 11 flights from Doha and 5 vessels visiting Doha Port for the first time. The ceremony was attended by Mr. Omar Al Jaber, Head of Tourism Development at Qatar Tourism, Mr. Abdulrahman Saad Al Baker, Director of Doha Port, along with representatives of local and international media. The ceremony included a review of the ship’s current and future flight schedule, in addition to a review of joint cooperation between strategic partners in Qatar to start the ship’s trips so that Doha Port will be the main station for its trips during the next three seasons. Speaking at the launch of the first cruise ship, Omar Al Jaber, Head of Tourism Development at Qatar Tourism, said: “The arrival of the Celestal Journey to Doha Port marks a significant milestone in our partnership with Celesteal, reinforcing Qatar’s position as a leading tourism destination in the Arabian Gulf region. This collaboration also highlights Qatar’s growing appeal as a destination offering unique cultural and travel experiences, and we are proud to collaborate with Mwani Qatar to deliver seamless operations and an enriching guest experience that reflects the hospitality and diverse tourism offerings Qatar has to offer.” Mr. Abdulrahman Saad Al Baker, Director of Doha Port, expressed his delight at the launch of the inaugural voyage of the Celestial Journey, where Doha Port will be the main port …
Read More »Qatar welcomes Norwegian Dawn, marking cruise ship’s regional debut
The Norwegian Dawn cruise ship arrived at Doha Port with a ceremony by Qatar Tourism, as part of the 2023/24 cruise season that opened in late-October in Qatar. The welcome ceremony featured a traditional Ardah performance, henna, dhow souvenirs, Arabic calligraphy art, sadu weaving, and net making for disembarking passengers. The cruise ship can accommodate up to 2,340 passengers, and has an operating crew of 1, 032 members. It will be anchored for two nights, allowing passengers to explore nearby sites in Doha which include the Mina District, Souq Waqif, National Museum of Qatar, and more. Speaking on the arrival of the cruise ship, His Excellency, Mr. Saad Bin Ali Al Kharji, Chairman of Qatar Tourism, stated, “The pioneering arrival of the Norwegian Dawn and its regional debut is a significant milestone for Qatar’s growing cruise tourism sector and marks Qatar’s international appeal as a cruise destination. Qatar Tourism is keen to create new partnerships and agreements with leading cruise lines and extend the opportunity to international passengers to explore Qatar’s abundant events calendar as well as its world-class museums, attractions, and cultural hotspots.” Captain Abdulla Mohamed Al-Khanji, CEO of Mwani Qatar, said: “We are delighted to welcome the Norwegian Cruise Line maiden voyage to the shores of Qatar and the Gulf region. This important event reflects the growing interest of cruise operators to dock at Doha’s Old Port and depart from it to other cruise terminals in the region. Qatar has rapidly evolved within the cruise tourism industry, emerging as a prominent global destination in this expanding sector. Its captivating attractions and ideal geographical location have been strongly recognised and have made Qatar a highly sought-after destination by both …
Read More »Qatar Tourism and Mwani expect 200,000 visitors from cruises in the 2022/2023 cruise season
Qatar Tourism (QT) and Mwani Qatar announce the return of the 2022/2023 cruise season and forecast more than 50 cruise liners with approximately 200,000 visitors from now to the end of April 2023. Over the season, cruise liner passengers will be welcomed at the Cruise Terminal, a newly designed infrastructure that pays homage to classic Arabian architecture. Docking in Doha Port, passengers will witness the newly renovated port that recently stood home to major international cruise liners offering ‘floating accommodation’ for thousands of international fans during the tournament, including the MSC World Europa, MSC Opera and MSC Poesia. Located at the Port is the Mina District, one of Qatar’s latest tourism destinations whereby residents and visitors alike can enjoy a diverse offering of restaurants and retail outlets or a refreshing stroll by the sea. For international passengers, the Port is ideally situated within walking distance to iconic landmarks, including the National Museum of Qatar, Souq Waqif, Msheireb Downtown Doha, and the Doha Corniche, where visitors can take in stunning views of the city’s skyline. Commenting on the new cruise season, Maryam Saoud, Head of Tourism Product Support at Qatar Tourism, said: “Qatar’s cruise sector has a history of less than a decade, yet the sector has grown tremendously and now contributes an important pillar to our tourism strategy. We’re seeing continued, increasing preference for Qatar as a destination for both regular cruise calls and cruises with turnaround calls. Indeed, Doha Port’s strategic location in the heart of the city is truly unique and offers our visitors an excellent opportunity to make the most out of their time in Doha. We are ready to welcome thousands of new travellers who are …
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