Doha: Qatar Tourism, in collaboration with the Civil Service and Government Development Bureau (CSGDB), hosted a strategic workshop aimed at enhancing the cruise passenger journey and highlighting key projects and initiatives designed to help advance Qatar's cruise tourism sector, in preparation for the 2025/2026 cruise season, set to begin November 2025.
According to Qatar News Agency, the workshop reviewed the latest developments across the sector while addressing current challenges, exchanging insights, and enhancing the skills and knowledge of stakeholders from both public and private sectors. The two-day event brought together representatives from a wide range of government entities and private organizations.
Sessions included presentations on global cruise tourism trends and destination best practices, alongside discussions to identify areas for development and innovative initiatives to further enrich the visitor's experience. Commenting on the workshop, Chief of Tourism Development Sector at Qatar Tourism Omar Abdulrahman Al Jaber stated that cruise tourism is a vital pillar of Qatar's tourism strategy, playing an important role in supporting the national economy and strengthening the country's position as a leading global destination.
He added appreciation for the collaboration with the Civil Service and Government Development Bureau, emphasizing the commitment to investing in training and equipping the workforce to ensure a world-class experience for visitors to Qatar. CSGDB's Director of Government Development Affairs Youssef Jaber Al Jaber highlighted the partnership with Qatar Tourism to enhance the visitor journey within Qatar's cruise tourism sector, aiming for a seamless and integrated experience.
The workshop featured interactive activities to foster closer cooperation among stakeholders, including idea exchanges, priority-setting, and the development of practical action plans ahead of the new season. Participants were also awarded certificates in recognition of their valuable contributions. Qatar is preparing to welcome the 2025/2026 cruise season in November, following an exceptional season that saw over 360,000 visitors on 87 cruise ships, marking a 19% year-on-year increase. This growth highlights the sector's strong trajectory and its expanding contribution to the national economy.