The Qatari delegation’s visit to the tourist port of Barcelona, Spain, was part of efforts to support cruise tourism in Qatar by exchanging expertise and enhancing operational processes. The delegation met with Spanish port officials to learn about best practices, workflow mechanisms, and port security and safety systems. The visit aimed to improve the tourism experience for visitors arriving at Doha Port and strengthen Qatar’s position as a leading global destination for cruise tourism.
The first day of the visit focused on exploring the cruise ship terminal and ships, reviewing security measures, coordination between various port authorities, and ship reservation procedures. A joint workshop at the Port provided insights into passenger entry and exit systems and innovative solutions for managing tourist flows effectively. The visit aimed to gain insights into the latest systems and services for enhancing the tourism experience for visitors arriving at Doha Port.
Omar Al Jaber, Acting Chief of Tourism Development Sector at Qatar Tourism, highlighted the significant growth in Qatar’s cruise tourism sector and the success of the recently concluded 2023-2024 Cruise Season. Doha Port has become a pivotal departure and return point for international cruise ships, accommodating two large ships simultaneously and handling approximately 12,000 people daily. The cruise sector has become a crucial component of Qatar Tourism’s strategy, consistently achieving robust growth rates in recent years.
Overall, the visit to Barcelona Port aimed at enhancing the operational processes and logistical services necessary for the growth of cruise tourism in Qatar. The delegation’s interaction with Spanish port officials provided valuable insights into best practices and innovative solutions for managing tourist flows effectively. Qatar aims to continuously improve and innovate to offer memorable experiences to tourists visiting Doha Port, further strengthening its position as a leading global destination for cruise tourism.