Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) announced the recovery of cruise tourism in spite of the unprecedented challenges caused by the COVID crisis. According to QTA, Qatar received ~58,000 cruise tourists (passengers and crew) during the first half of the 2021-2022 season, which started in December 2021.
The country was able to successfully restart cruise tourism, which represents a major step in tourism recovery that allows a large number of travelers to learn about the experiences offered by the destination.
Qatar Ports played a major role in marketing Qatar as a destination for cruise tourism in the region, during 6 seasons, expecting an increase in the number of cruisers, especially in the period leading up to FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and the opening of Doha Port's permanent passenger building during next summer.
According to the statement, a total of 18 ships have docked in Port Doha by the middle of the season, with 12 additional calls expected. Doha Port witnessed the inauguration of four ships for their first voyages to Qatar, the arrival of four luxury ships, and during the season special programs for passengers onboard flights that stay in the port, which includes 13 departure & return flights, as passengers start/end their flights from Qatar.
The Tourism Authority identified the nationalities that ranked first for travelers who arrived at Doha Port during the first 3 months of the current season, coming from the United Kingdom, Belgium, Brazil, India, Italy, France, Germany, Spain. The season also saw an increase in the number of visitors from the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and is expected to grow in 2023 as a result of the partnership that Qatar Tourism concluded with Emerald Cruises offering new superyacht cruises.