Doha, Qatar: Discover Qatar (DQ) unveiled its ambitious target for the 2023/2024 period where it aimed to double the number of travellers for its “Stopover programme,” signalling its commitment to position Qatar as the top choice for visitors seeking a stopover experience.
DQ is the destination management company of Qatar Airways and a partner of Qatar Tourism.
This is according to the recent Qatar Airways Group annual report for the fiscal year 2022/2023 which highlighted the substantial growth of the Stopover programme. Over 20,000 visitors were provided with the coveted “Best Value Stopover in the World” offer, which encompasses a stay of up to four nights in luxurious 4 or 5-star hotels.
Throughout the previous year, Qatar Tourism and Qatar Airways collaboratively capitalised on the Stopover programme, which forms one of the six pivotal strategies adopted by Qatar Tourism to bolster tourist numbers in the country.
Reflecting on the exceptional year of 2022/2023, DQ expressed that it was a period like no other.
Over the course of the past 12 months, Discover Qatar orchestrated an array of logistical arrangements and curated exceptional tourist experiences both before and during the immensely successful FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. Their efforts catered to a diverse array of visitors and customers, ranging from FIFA delegates, tour operators, commercial partners, sponsors to passionate football enthusiasts.
In addition to this, it accomplished the noteworthy feat of delivering more than 5,000 operational services, effectively processing over 30,000 tickets for a wide array of events, including MSC Cruise Day Passes and Qatar Live. Moreover, it conducted guided tours and excursions, showcasing the very best of what Qatar has to offer.
In April 2022, a significant milestone was achieved with the relaunch of Transit Tours, a service provided on their website and at the transit desk shared with Qatar Tourism at Hamad International Airport (HIA). This programme delighted more than 13,000 travellers during their layovers at HIA, offering them immersive city and desert tours. Transit Tours remain a focal point for future growth, fortified by the inclusion of the FIFA World Cup Stadiums transit tour, and the additional options of playing Squash or Golf at the airport in partnership with Oryx Airport Hotel.
An awe-inspiring moment in Qatar’s tourism landscape occurred with the successful inauguration of the ‘Whale Sharks of Qatar’ tours, a truly unique and rare experience in the region. Nearly 500 adventurers were the first to witness the congregation of up to 300 whale sharks in the Arabian Sea, resulting in overwhelmingly positive customer feedback.
Just last week, 37 wildlife enthusiasts were treated to the sight of the season’s first arrivals of these majestic creatures on the said tour. Undertaken on a high-speed catamaran from the northeastern coast of Qatar, this half-day excursion also provided breakfast and an expert lecture, making it a memorable experience for nature lovers.
The number of Whale Sharks in Qatar’s waters this summer is expected to grow to an impressive 300 over the coming weeks.
Moreover, the report highlighted the continuous growth of cruise services and operations at the new Grand Terminal, Doha Port, where DQ seamlessly provided shore-based experiences and turnaround services for over 10,000 passengers arriving on 14 cruise ships during the winter season.
According to Qatar Tourism’s latest data, the country welcomed 253,191 cruise visitors during the 2022/2023 season (December 2022 to March 2023), showcasing a remarkable increase of 151% compared to the previous season, equivalent to 100,500 visitors.
As a testament to Discover Qatar’s versatility, this year witnessed the successful inclusion of the company’s first-ever destination Indian wedding. Demonstrating their prowess in logistics and services, they seamlessly catered to over 850 international guests across a four-day period.
Additionally, the year 2022/2023 marked the introduction of DQ’s Educational Tours division, aimed at establishing Qatar as a leading education travel destination boasting some of the world’s finest learning facilities.
“DQ aims to become the go-to brand synonymous with excellence in operational delivery for Meetings, Incentives, Conference and Events (MICE), for world-class sporting events and educational tourism in one of the safest environments in the world,” it concluded.
