QT-Qatar Tourism and Mwani Qatar announced the return of the 2022-2023 season and forecasted 50+ cruise ships with ~200,000 passengers from now through to the end of April 2023.
Over the season, cruise visitors will be welcomed at the Cruise Terminal, a newly designed infrastructure paying homage to classic Arabian architecture. When docking in Doha Port, cruisers will witness the renovated port that recently stood home to large-capacity liners offering ‘floating accommodation’ for thousands of fans during the tournament, including MSC's liners World Europa, Poesia, and Opera.
Situated at the Port is the Mina District, one of the latest tourism destinations in Qatar whereby visitors can enjoy a diverse offering of retail outlets and restaurants or a stroll by the sea. For international guests, the Port is within walking distance of iconic landmarks, such as the National Museum of Qatar, Msheireb Downtown Doha, Souq Waqif, and the Doha Corniche, where tourists can take in views of the city's skyline.
Commenting on the new season, Maryam Saoud, Head of Tourism Product Support at Qatar Tourism, said Qatar’s cruise sector had a history of less than a decade, yet the sector had grown tremendously and now contributed an important pillar to their 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 guaranteed a distinct tourism experience in Qatar through the different tourism products on offer and in collaboration with our strategic partners.”
Mr. Hamad Ali Al Ansari, Manager of Public Relations & Communications at Mwani Qatar, said:
"Qatar continues to strengthen its position as a leading tourism destination in the region, in line with the goals of the Qatar National Vision 2030. At Mwani Qatar, we are proud to work with our stakeholders and cruise lines to ensure that these goals are achieved and work toward making Qatar the most sought-after cruise destination in the region."
He added that as part of the renovation work undertaken in the infrastructure of Doha Port, and after further expanding/dredging the navigational channel/port docks to reach deeper depth, they were now able to receive mega cruise ships. Indeed, Doha Port was developed to become one of the major tourist attractions in the region.