CATHERINE W GICHUKI
DOHA
A new cruise passenger terminal was inaugurated at Doha Port on Tuesday as over 3,000 passengers disembarked from megaship Mein Schiff 5, ushering in Qatar’s fourth and largest cruise tourism season.
German luxury cruise liner Mein Schiff 5 arrived with 2,354 passengers and 996 crew members.
The visitors were welcomed with ardha dance and traditional foods and displays.
Qatar National Tourism Council (QNTC) Secretary- General and Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Akbar al Baker cut the ribbon to mark the opening of the passenger terminal.
Spread over 6,000 square metres, the new facility will act as a temporary terminal for the next two seasons until the completion of Doha Port’s expansion plan due in 2022.
Mein Schiff 5 is the first of 74 ships expected this season, a 66 percent increase in the number of ships’ arrival in the 2018/19 cruise season (44 ships).
In a statement, Minister of Transport and Communications, HE Jassim bin Saif al Sulaiti said the opening of the new temporary terminal in Doha Port will support the country’s strategy to develop cruise tourism.
"Doha Port is playing a key role in reinforcing Qatar’s position as an attractive tourist destination through securing and receiving international cruise ships, as well as providing all the facilities necessary for the growth of a sector that is considered a key contributor to the economic diversity pursued by Qatar National Vision 2030.”
He said Doha Port continues to receive ships even as it undergoes a comprehensive development process that will see it become a unique and all-inclusive cruise tourism hub.
He said the ministry has completed the dredging and digging works that significantly increased the port’s berthing capacity. He said Mwani Qatar, QNTC and other stakeholders continue to collaborate on meeting the larger goal of delivering world-class services to all passengers and ensuring swift and seamless flows into and out of the port.
Speaking to media persons, Qatar Airways chief said they have a strategy that is going to completely revamp the tourism industry.
"We have so much treasure in the country for tourists that was hidden for so long and we were not marketing ourselves properly. But this is going to change with the new tourism strategy directed by the Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani. It is my job to deliver on that strategy and hopefully we will succeed. We have to build on a strong foundation. It is now my mandate and duty to ensure that what we are doing is going to reap a lot of benefits to the GDP of my country.”
Despite this being a temporary terminal in place, the cruise passengers will experience the same level of services and facilities as Hamad International Airport such as seamless immigration and customs, foreign exchange, taxi and bus stands, Duty Free Shops, cafés, waiting areas as well as city tours and other tourist information services.
"We look forward to offering them a warm welcome and a truly Qatari experience,” he said.
Baker explained that this will be the first season in which Doha acts as a turnaround port for cruise ships, with passengers beginning and ending their journey in Qatar.
The port will host 16 turnaround calls, giving passengers ample time to explore the destination.
In addition, nine ships will dock overnight during the season.
"The process of helping hundreds of passengers fly in, start their cruises around the Arabian Gulf, and fly home from Doha is made possible by great coordination between the tourism, aviation and hospitality sectors, as well as immigration and customs officials. Thanks to the continued collaboration between QNTC and our partners, Doha’s emergence as a turnaround port for international cruises will bring greater economic benefit as passengers spend more time in the country, and learn more about our offering as a destination,” he said.
As a result of various initiatives by QNTC and its partners, Qatar’s cruise industry has seen remarkable growth during the last few years.
The 2018-19 season achieved 121 percent growth in the number of cruise passengers and 100 percent growth in the number of cruise ships, with over 140,000 passengers arriving aboard 44 ships, including 38 mega ships.
The 2019-20 season is expected to be even bigger, with over 186,000 passengers and over 61,000 crew arriving on 74 ships. Four ships will make their maiden calls to Doha this season, including the Jewel of the Seas operated by the cruise line Royal Caribbean.
DOHA
A new cruise passenger terminal was inaugurated at Doha Port on Tuesday as over 3,000 passengers disembarked from megaship Mein Schiff 5, ushering in Qatar’s fourth and largest cruise tourism season.
German luxury cruise liner Mein Schiff 5 arrived with 2,354 passengers and 996 crew members.
The visitors were welcomed with ardha dance and traditional foods and displays.
Qatar National Tourism Council (QNTC) Secretary- General and Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Akbar al Baker cut the ribbon to mark the opening of the passenger terminal.
Spread over 6,000 square metres, the new facility will act as a temporary terminal for the next two seasons until the completion of Doha Port’s expansion plan due in 2022.
Mein Schiff 5 is the first of 74 ships expected this season, a 66 percent increase in the number of ships’ arrival in the 2018/19 cruise season (44 ships).
In a statement, Minister of Transport and Communications, HE Jassim bin Saif al Sulaiti said the opening of the new temporary terminal in Doha Port will support the country’s strategy to develop cruise tourism.
"Doha Port is playing a key role in reinforcing Qatar’s position as an attractive tourist destination through securing and receiving international cruise ships, as well as providing all the facilities necessary for the growth of a sector that is considered a key contributor to the economic diversity pursued by Qatar National Vision 2030.”
He said Doha Port continues to receive ships even as it undergoes a comprehensive development process that will see it become a unique and all-inclusive cruise tourism hub.
He said the ministry has completed the dredging and digging works that significantly increased the port’s berthing capacity. He said Mwani Qatar, QNTC and other stakeholders continue to collaborate on meeting the larger goal of delivering world-class services to all passengers and ensuring swift and seamless flows into and out of the port.
Speaking to media persons, Qatar Airways chief said they have a strategy that is going to completely revamp the tourism industry.
"We have so much treasure in the country for tourists that was hidden for so long and we were not marketing ourselves properly. But this is going to change with the new tourism strategy directed by the Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani. It is my job to deliver on that strategy and hopefully we will succeed. We have to build on a strong foundation. It is now my mandate and duty to ensure that what we are doing is going to reap a lot of benefits to the GDP of my country.”
Despite this being a temporary terminal in place, the cruise passengers will experience the same level of services and facilities as Hamad International Airport such as seamless immigration and customs, foreign exchange, taxi and bus stands, Duty Free Shops, cafés, waiting areas as well as city tours and other tourist information services.
"We look forward to offering them a warm welcome and a truly Qatari experience,” he said.
Baker explained that this will be the first season in which Doha acts as a turnaround port for cruise ships, with passengers beginning and ending their journey in Qatar.
The port will host 16 turnaround calls, giving passengers ample time to explore the destination.
In addition, nine ships will dock overnight during the season.
"The process of helping hundreds of passengers fly in, start their cruises around the Arabian Gulf, and fly home from Doha is made possible by great coordination between the tourism, aviation and hospitality sectors, as well as immigration and customs officials. Thanks to the continued collaboration between QNTC and our partners, Doha’s emergence as a turnaround port for international cruises will bring greater economic benefit as passengers spend more time in the country, and learn more about our offering as a destination,” he said.
As a result of various initiatives by QNTC and its partners, Qatar’s cruise industry has seen remarkable growth during the last few years.
The 2018-19 season achieved 121 percent growth in the number of cruise passengers and 100 percent growth in the number of cruise ships, with over 140,000 passengers arriving aboard 44 ships, including 38 mega ships.
The 2019-20 season is expected to be even bigger, with over 186,000 passengers and over 61,000 crew arriving on 74 ships. Four ships will make their maiden calls to Doha this season, including the Jewel of the Seas operated by the cruise line Royal Caribbean.