Qatar Tourism (QT) led a delegation of government and private agencies at the 2023 Seatrade Cruise Global, the world’s annual cruise industry gathering. In addition to QT, Qatar’s pavilion included Mwani, Doha Bus, Al Tawfeeq Travel, and Qatar International Tours.
The 2023 Seatrade Cruise Global took place in Fort Lauderdale from March 27-30, 2023, at the Broward County Convention Center. It gathered more than 70 industry speakers who discussed key industry trends from sustainability to technology, and over 500 exhibitors including ports and destinations, ship equipment and shipbuilding, entertainment, environment and health, hospitality, information technology, and more.
During the event, Qatar Tourism participated in a panel discussion where it showcased the unique offerings of Doha as a premier cruise destination, highlighting Qatar's rich culture and history, modern infrastructure, and family-friendly entertainment. In addition, Qatar Tourism met with several major global cruise lines on the side-lines of the event, including Ponant, Silversea, TUI, Costa, AIDA, Windstar, MSC, Swan Hellenic and NCL. Qatar Tourism also attended the ‘Meet the Itinerary Planners’ event to promote Qatar as a top cruise destination and develop partnerships that will bring more cruise passengers to the country.
Maryam Saoud, Head of Tourism Product Support Section at Qatar Tourism, said: “Events of global significance like the Seatrade Cruise Global present a valuable opportunity for tourism stakeholders to engage in meetings and share knowledge with prominent industry influencers and senior cruise executives. Such gatherings also offer an excellent platform to stay informed about the latest developments within the cruise industry and allow major international cruise operators to discover Qatar’s world-class tourism infrastructure and the unique features that make it an appealing addition to their cruise programs.”
With a goal to reach six million visitors by 2030, Seatrade Cruise Global serves as a platform for Qatar to showcase its tourism potential and attract more visitors to the country. Qatar's new cruise terminal marks a significant development for the country's tourism industry. The new Grand Terminal offers state-of-the-art facilities for cruise passengers and can accommodate up to 12,000 people a day. Its strategic location in the heart of Doha makes it minutes away from some of the city’s most popular attractions including the National Museum of Qatar, the Doha Corniche and Souq Waqif. Adjacent to the Doha Port is the Mina District, one of Qatar’s latest tourism destinations whereby residents and visitors alike can enjoy a diverse offering of restaurants and retail outlets and a refreshing stroll by the sea.