Tuesday, July 23, 2024
Reading Time: 2 minutesA delegation from Qatar, consisting of officials from Qatar Tourism, the Permanent Committee for Maritime Ports Management, Mwani, and the General Authority of Customs, recently embarked on a formal visit to Barcelona’s tourist port in Spain. This visit allowed the Qatari team to engage with their Spanish counterparts to discuss and observe best practices, operational strategies, visitor services, cruise management, and the safety protocols implemented at the port.
Spanning three days, this initiative is a strategic part of Qatar’s efforts to bolster its Cruise Tourism sector. It emphasizes knowledge sharing, enhancing operational and logistical capabilities, and fostering growth within the industry.
On the initial day, the focus was primarily on touring the cruise terminal and vessels, where the Qatari group consulted with Spanish port authorities to understand their management systems, operational loads, and tourist engagement levels. The agenda also included a detailed review of advanced security strategies, coordination among various port sectors like immigration, customs, and security, alongside discussions on booking systems and prioritization methods.
A collaborative workshop held at the port connected the visiting Qatari delegates with officials from the Port of Barcelona. The workshop shed light on passenger processing systems and innovative approaches for efficient tourist management at one of Spain’s key maritime landmarks. Comparisons were drawn between the operational efficiencies of the Port of Barcelona and Doha Port.
Mr. Omar Al Jaber, Acting Chief of Tourism Development Sector at Qatar Tourism, commented on the visit: “The State of Qatar has emerged as a leading global destination for cruise tourism, featuring prominently on popular cruise itineraries in the region. The significant growth in Qatar’s cruise tourism sector is a testament to the constructive cooperation and ongoing coordination with our partners. The recently concluded 2023-2024 Cruise Season was a resounding success in terms of both cruise ship visits and total visitor numbers.
He continued: “Our visit to Barcelona Port was aimed at gaining insights into the latest systems and services for enhancing the tourism experience for visitors arriving at Doha Port. This aligns with our commitment to continuously improve and innovate in order to offer memorable experiences to tourists visiting Qatar.”
Doha Port has become a key hub for global cruise liners, particularly after significant enhancements in recent years that included building a large passenger reception area capable of hosting two major ships concurrently and managing up to 12,000 visitors daily.
Qatar’s cruise industry is a vital element of Qatar Tourism’s overall strategy, which has seen substantial growth in recent times. For instance, during the 2023-2024 season, Doha Port accommodated 73 cruise ships.
Qatar Tourism, the authoritative body overseeing the tourism sector, is dedicated to promoting and expanding tourism in Qatar by leveraging its rich cultural heritage, developing exciting attractions, and providing luxurious experiences.