Representatives of Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) were invited to present today at the esteemed Seatrade Europe conference, which is taking place in Hamburg, Germany from September 15-17. QTA was represented by Ms. Soha Al Fadl Moussa, Head of Promotions and Organizing Abroad Exhibitions and Mr. Mohammed Al Ansari, Head of Licensing and Classification Tourism Activities.
Presenting on the “Itineraries and Destinations” panel, Ms. Soha Al Fadl Moussa and Mr. Mohammed Al Ansari discussed Qatar’s cultural attractions, ever-expanding developments and its competitive edge in the tourism market. As part of her speech, Ms. Moussa said, “In Qatar, tourism is not just about entertainment. It is about offering visitors an insight and experience into the heritage that has made Qatar what it is today.” Under the leadership of His Highness the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Qatar is currently investing $17 billion into its tourism infrastructure including the construction of luxury hotels and resorts, two new centers for conferences and exhibitions and of course the New Doha International Airport.
The conference, which focuses on the cruise, ferry, rivercruise and superyacht industries, offered an opportunity for QTA to educate an international audience on Qatar’s growing popularity for cruise ship passengers. With easier visa proceedures for visitors by sea, Doha has quickly become is an ideal arrival destination on any cruising itinerary.
The sea has always been a significant part of Qatari culture, shaping the nation’s identity and providing a scenic environment for residents and visitors. During the QTA presentation, Mr. Ansari explained, “The government of Qatar has spared no efforts to upgrade and expand seaports and related infrastructure to make their services more efficient.”
With the first phase of the New Doha Port expected to open in 2014, Doha will continue to expand upon its heritage as an easily accessible coastal city while remaining a sought-after destination for cruise ship passengers.