Tribune News Network
Doha
Doha Port, Qatar’s gateway to maritime tourism, has welcomed over 378,000 passengers on board 73 vessels during the 2023-24 cruise season, Mwani Qatar has said.
It wasa 38 percent increase in visitor numbers and a 33 percent increase in the number of ships compared to the 2022-23 cruise season.
“This highlights the growing role the port plays in supporting the tourism sector in alignment with the goals of Qatar’s National Vision 2030,” Mwani Qatar said in a post on X platform.
The 2023-24 cruise season, which began in October 2023 ran until April 2024, and was expected to welcome nearly 80 cruise calls and approximately 350,000 passengers, making it the country’s biggest cruise season yet.
Qatar has seen a steady increase in cruise ship arrivals and passenger numbers over the years.
The 2022/23 cruise season concluded with a 151% increase in visitors compared to the previous season, with 54 cruise visits and 253,191 cruise visitors.
Cruise passengers arriving to Qatar through Doha Port are welcomed in a brand-new Grand Terminal that features state-of-the-art facilities. It can accommodate two megaships at a time and up to 12,000 people a day, ensuring seamless operations.
Upon exiting the terminal, passengers find themselves by the Mina District, an all-round destination where visitors can enjoy plenty of restaurant options, retail outlets, and a stunning promenade that makes the most of the city’s iconic skyline.
