Las palmas: Qatar Tourism and Old Doha Port participated in Seatrade Cruise Med 2026, held at Las Palmas Cruise Port in Gran Canaria, Spain, on September 16-17, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Qatar's position on global cruise itineraries and support the continued growth of the sector.
According to Qatar News Agency, Qatar Tourism stated that its participation focused on leveraging the capabilities Qatar has developed in recent years, including modern infrastructure at Old Doha Port, global air connectivity, hotel capacity, and diverse tourism experiences. This initiative aims to create tangible growth opportunities for the sector by strengthening cooperation with cruise operators and developing future cruise opportunities. The integrated approach underscores Qatar's readiness as a destination and its ability to provide a seamless cruise experience.
Throughout the exhibition, the Qatari delegation held meetings with international cruise lines, industry executives, and key decision-makers. The discussions focused on strengthening long-term partnerships and exploring future cruise opportunities, providing insights into industry trends and the sector's future growth requirements.
Qatar Tourism participated as part of the Cruise Arabia Alliance stand, highlighting the importance of regional cooperation in developing the Gulf's cruise offering. Through the alliance, Qatar Tourism joined neighboring GCC destinations in engaging with international cruise lines and exploring opportunities to strengthen regional itineraries, support the continued growth of cruise traffic across the Gulf, and reinforce Qatar's role as a key port of call along these routes.
Qatar Tourism and Old Doha Port continue to work with public and private sector partners to enhance destination and operational readiness. They aim to improve the cruise passenger experience, develop high-quality tourism experiences and shore excursions, and encourage pre- and post-cruise stays.
Director of Operations Affairs at Qatar Tourism, Omar Abdulrahman Al Jaber, stated that cruise tourism is an important part of Qatar's wider tourism strategy. He emphasized that their participation at Seatrade Cruise Med reflects their long-term commitment to the sector's continued development, with a focus on strengthening relationships and building long-term partnerships with cruise operators while positioning Qatar on the global cruise tourism map in the coming seasons.
Chief Operating Officer at Old Doha Port, Eng. Mohamed Al Atwaan, noted that the growth of cruise tourism depends on developing new itineraries and strong coordination and consistent operational standards on the ground. He added that Seatrade Cruise Med 2026 provided a valuable opportunity to engage directly with cruise lines, port operators, and tourism partners on their evolving requirements, from berthing and marine services to the overall arrival experience. These discussions will help inform planning at Old Doha Port as they work alongside Qatar Tourism and industry partners to strengthen operational readiness and support Doha's position as a key port of call within Gulf itineraries.