Cruise passengers to Qatar on the rise

Mwani Qatar, the state operator of seaports and shipping terminals, reported a 5 percent year-on-year increase in passenger numbers in the 2024-25 cruise season.

Doha Port, the Gulf nation’s main gateway, received nearly 400,000 visitors from 87 cruises, a 19 percent annual rise in ship visits, the Peninsula newspaper reported.

The latest season saw the first visit of five liners to Qatar, reflecting the expansion of global cruise itineraries.

Doha Port’s terminal is located a short distance from attractions such as the National Museum of Qatar, Souq Waqif, a restored market, and Msheireb Downtown Doha, a contemporary area.

By February the Discover Qatar Stopover Programme, which encourages passengers passing through to stay a night in the country, had already sold more than 100,000 room nights this year.

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• Qatar stopover initiative draws thousands more visitors
• Qatar visitors increase by half in February

In the fourth quarter of 2024, the estimated total hospitality stock was 40,405 keys, according to Qatar Tourism, two-thirds of which were four and five-star hotels.

Valustrat said new hotel openings are expected to add more than 3,500 hotel rooms to the market in 2025. New openings include Swissotel Corniche Park Towers, Andaz Hotel West Bay, The Doha Edition and Corinthia Doha.