The 2023-2024 cruise season in Qatar has proven to be one of the most successful in the country’s history, with a significant increase in the number of passengers and ships. The season, which ran from October 2023 to April 2024, saw a total of 378,000 visitors, a 38% increase from the previous year. Additionally, the number of turnaround passengers increased by an impressive 83.2%, reaching 68,050.
The Grand Cruise Terminal at the Old Doha Port saw a surge in both passenger numbers and the number of ships docking, with vessels such as MSC Virtuosa, Seabourn Encore, AIDAprima, and Artania making appearances. The season also welcomed six international cruise ships making their debut visits in Qatar, including Crystal Symphony, Mein Schiff 2, Azamara Journey, MS Riviera, MS Hamburg, and Norwegian Dawn. The total number of ships docking at the Old Doha Port rose from 55 in the previous season to 73, marking a 33% increase.
Visitors to Qatar during the cruise season came from a variety of countries, including Germany, Italy, Russia, Kazakhstan, the United Kingdom, Spain, China, the United States, Uzbekistan, France, and GCC countries. Germans accounted for the highest percentage of passengers at 28%, followed by Italians at 11%, and Russians at 6.7%. The success of the season was celebrated at an “End of cruise season appreciation event” held at the Old Doha Port, where Qatar Tourism Chairman H E Saad bin Ali Al Kharji expressed the significance of Qatar as a leading global destination for cruise tourism.
Qatar Tourism Chairman H E Saad bin Ali Al Kharji praised Qatar’s growth as a cruise destination and highlighted the record-breaking success of the cruise season. He emphasized the importance of the maiden journeys by cruise liners to the Gulf region, showcasing Qatar’s rising stature as an international destination. Al Kharji also credited Qatar Tourism’s partners for their role in the season’s success. Mwani Qatar CEO, Capt. Abdulla Al Khanji, also emphasized the importance of the season in developing Qatar’s marine tourism industry and achieving the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030 and Qatar Tourism Strategy.
Mwani Qatar CEO, Capt. Abdulla Al Khanji, expressed his satisfaction with the season’s success, highlighting Doha Port’s role as Qatar’s gateway to marine tourism. Al Khanji commended the terminal’s contribution to Qatar’s tourism industry and emphasized the growing popularity of Qatar as a cruise destination in the region. He pledged to enhance Doha Port’s capabilities to attract more cruise lines and travelers in future seasons, thanking stakeholders, partners, and contributors for making the season a success.
