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ISS appointed as cruise strategy consultants by Qatar Tourism Authority

ISS appointed as cruise strategy consultants by Qatar Tourism Authority
Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS) has been appointed as cruise strategy consultants by Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA).

ISS Qatar will provide QTA with a clear assessment of its cruise industry, including its potential development for the country, and develop a strategy to engage, expand and drive its growth forward to maximise returns.

The Qatar National Tourism Sector strategy places a great emphasis on developing a sustainable cruise industry and maximise on the destination’s involvement in regional initiatives, such as the Cruise Arabia Alliance.

QTA will also call on ISS’ expertise to support its efforts in berthing cruise ships at Doha Port as accommodation for visitors to the FIFA World Cup 2022.

With tourism already designated a priority sector in Qatar’s pursuit of a diversified, sustainable economy, developing its cruise industry will help further expand this market and play a key role in managing peaks of demand when it hosts global events.

The government is currently exploring a range of options to transform the existing commercial Doha Port into a contemporary leisure and tourist facility, with a new cruise terminal.

The Qatar Ports Management Company (Mwani) is also planning to use one of its existing berths at the recently opened Hamad Port as a short-term facility to accommodate cruise lines from the second half of 2016 onwards as a temporary cruise terminal.

The new QTA contract furthers ISS’ plan to develop its cruise business following the appointment of Grant Holmes as vp, cruise solutions, ISS, last year.