Qatar to welcome 200,000 visitors in 2022-23 cruise season

Qatar Tourism (QT) and Mwani Qatar have forecast the arrival of more than 50 cruise liners with approximately 200,000 visitors from now to the end of April, as it kicked off the return of the 2022-2023 cruise season.

Cruise liner passengers will be welcomed at Doha Port’s newly designed cruise terminal, which recently hosted major international cruise liners offering ‘floating accommodation’ for thousands of international fans during the FIFA World Cup.during the tournament, including the MSC World Europa, MSC Opera, and MSC Poesia.

The port, located in the Mina District, is within walking distance of the city’s landmarks, including the National Museum of Qatar, Souq Waqif, Msheireb Downtown Doha, and the Doha Corniche.

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.”

#QatarTourism and @MwaniQtr expect more than 50 cruise liners with approximately 200,000 visitors from now to the end of April 2023. #Qatar #Doha pic.twitter.com/WXgHkEH2Uz

— قطر للسياحة – Qatar Tourism (@NTC_Qatar) January 8, 2023

Hamad Ali Al Ansari, manager of Public Relations and 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: “As part of the renovation work undertaken in Doha Port’s infrastructure, and after further expanding and dredging the navigational channel and port docks to reach deeper depth, we are now able to receive mega cruise vessels. Indeed, Doha Port is being developed to become one of the main tourist attractions in the region.”

Al Ansari continued: “We look forward to another successful tourism season that will contribute to strengthening the cruise industry and maintaining Qatar’s position as a leading tourism hub in the region. In every cruise season, we always make sure that travellers are receiving the best services and the most enjoyable experiences in every step of their journey, and in a safe environment.”