Qatar Tourism has signed a superyacht luxury cruises partnership with Swiss-based cruise company Emerald Cruises.
According to Qatar Tourism, the partnership would see Emerald Cruises launch its sail from Doha in January 2023.
In a tweet, Qatar Tourism stated, “Emerald Azzurra will offer seven-night, eight-day itineraries from Doha, with stops at Sir Bani Yas Island, Abu Dhabi; Khasab, Oman; Fujairah, UAE; Zighy Bay, Oman and Dubai and vice versa.”
Guests can also purchase a tailored three-day package to explore Qatar, with short trips to cultural sites.
This agreement further boosts Qatar’s cruise industry as it bounces back from the effects of the global pandemic. Mwani Qatar had announced that this cruise season is expected to host around 76 cruise ships and 86 trips to Doha.
Qatar Tourism’s Berthold Trenkel was quoted on Cruise Industry News website as saying, “In line with the national strategy, Qatar National Vision 2030, we are expanding our tourism value proposition and are excited to welcome travellers from around the world to experience the best of Qatari hospitality both on sea and land. The new itineraries being launched with Emerald Cruises are another step towards achieving this vision.”
Cruise ships MSC Virtuosa and Mein Schiff 6 have already made calls to Doha. Besides, construction continues on the new Grand Cruise Terminal near the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) and Souq Waqif on the Doha Corniche. The Terminal will have the capacity to host two megaships.
Last year, Chairman of Qatar Tourism and Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, H E Akbar Al Baker, said Qatar is targeting to attract over six million international visitors a year by 2030.
He also stated that the country aims to increase its contribution to the national economy to 12 percent.
Data from statista.com projects the GDP revenue volume from tourism to rise from QR58.8bn in 2016 to QR200bn in 2028. Qatar Tourism also launched a new international multi-media campaign to drive forward the country’s tourism goals. The campaign aims to attracting over six million visitors a year by 2030.
It features nine unique, engaging key chain characters designed to introduce travellers to Qatar and will roll out across 15 international core markets.
