*Partnership to further develop transport services, to meet growing cruise tourism demands
Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) and Mowasalat have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to further develop tourist transport services, ensuring the growth in cruise tourism demand is matched with flexible and reliable transport services.
The MoU is part of QTA’s ongoing efforts to enhance the overall visitor experience, and comes ahead of a busy cruise season, expected to start Tuesday.
In a press statement, QTA said the MoU opens new avenues of collaboration with Mowasalat to enhance the tourist transport experience through data sharing, training, technical and logistical support and exchange of expertise.
The primary focus of the MoU is the development of all transport services related to cruise tourism to meet the growing demands of the cruise tourism sector, which expects to receive 200,000 visitors by 2020, according to QTA.
“Our new partnership with Mowasalat is a major step forward in enhancing the visitor experience. Transport services play a key role in shaping visitors’ first impressions of a destination, and so it is one of the first aspects of the tourism sector which we aim to enhance in collaboration with our partners,” QTA’s acting public relations and marketing director Jawaher al-Khuzaei said.
“We will also be developing all supporting operations in preparation for a busy cruise season ahead,” al-Khuzaei added.
The agreement sets standards for the transport of tourists, as well as pricing limits, and outlines a protocol for the involvement of tour operators in providing transport services, according to the agreed upon standards.
“Executing this agreement with QTA is part of mutual efforts being made by both parties to facilitate all capabilities to leverage the provided services for visitors and residents in terms of touristic transport, in order to participate in the economic, social and investment growth of the State for fulfilling Qatar National Vision 2030,” Mowasalat government relations manager Khalid Kafoud said.
“Mowasalat (Karwa) is focused on being the first-choice provider of world class innovative transport solutions and services and inspire a legacy in the region, also providing safe and eco-friendly transport solutions to gain satisfaction of our service users in Qatar from citizens, residents and tourists,” he added.
According to the MoU, QTA will work with the Qatar Ports Authority “Mwani” to ensure that only authorised taxis can access the visitor arrival area at Doha Port.
QTA will also work with destination management companies (DMC) to ensure they benefit as much as possible during the cruise season.
Meanwhile Mowasalat will ensure tourist transport prices are communicated one year in advance so that DMCs can plan accordingly.
Mowasalat will also coordinate with all suppliers that might take part in logistics or operations that support the cruise season.
QTA had recently signed a MoU with the German AIDA Cruises and the Italian Costa Cruises to include Doha in their winter itineraries. Cruise ships from both companies are expected to bring approximately 45,000 passengers to Doha in the 2018/2019 season.
