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Doha: MSC Splendida, an elegant mega ship, which can carry 4,363 guests, is the second member of the MSC Cruises family to journey to Doha, and is due to make five more calls throughout the 2017/18 season.
A delegation of senior representatives from Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA), Qatar Ports Management Company, Mwani Qatar, Hamad International Airport (HIA) and the Ministry of Interior’s Immigration Department welcomed MSC Splendida this morning as it made its maiden voyage to Qatar.
“Qatar is fast becoming a more mainstream destination for cruise ships, as evidenced by the growing number of mega ships docking in our ports,” commented Hassan Al Ibrahim, Chief Tourism Development Officer at QTA.
“We are delighted to welcome a new MSC Cruise ship to Doha, and look forward to meeting the growing demand for authentic Qatari experiences through our work with the private sector to provide new and enriching tourism products.”
Al Ibrahim added that the Doha Port Redevelopment Project, which is well underway, sets Qatar on track to grow its capacity for cruise tourists and become a turnaround port. Once complete, the port will be a permanent cruise terminal and tourist hub, with capacity for two mega cruise ships docking simultaneously. Once all development projects are complete, cruise tourism is projected to attract over 500,000 visitors to Qatar and generate QR350m annually by 2026.
Following extensive collaboration between the Ministry of Interior, Mwani and QTA, the guests benefitted from a recently introduced disembarkation procedure – brought into effect last season – that ensures all passengers to leave the ship and begin enjoying their day-trip within an hour.
Once in Doha, MSC Splendida’s guests were able to select from a variety of activities, choosing to enjoy desert safaris and a relaxing day on the beach, cultural tours around Qatar, shopping tours, or traditional dhow boat cruises.
“Growing Qatar’s share of cruise tourists is a significant part of our strategy to diversify source markets,” said Rashed Al Qurese, Chief Marketing and Promotion Officer at QTA.
“Though the season has started recently, our year-to-date figures for 2017 already show a 6% increase in European visitors compared to last year. By sampling various elements of life in Qatar in a short space of time, cruise tourists are also becoming our best ambassadors, helping us to promote Qatar as a destination for authentic experiences in our key source markets.”
Gianni Onorato, MSC Cruises’ CEO commented: “We are delighted about MSC Splendida making her maiden call in Doha as part of her maiden voyage in the region. MSC Cruises is committed to support developing the cruise industry in this region and we are seeing a growing demand from our guests globally as they seek new and exciting winter cruise destinations. “
At 333 metres in length and 66 metres high, MSC Splendida is one of MSC Cruises’ most modern and elegant ships and measures the equivalent of three football fields. The ship was considerably refurbished and upgraded while in dry-dock in early December 2017.
MSC Splendida will this winter season in Doha on 20 December, 04 and 25 January, 15 February, and 8 and 29 March.
