Partnership to further develop transport services to meet growing demand  

Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) and Mowasalat recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to further develop tourist transport services, ensuring that the growth in cruise tourism demand is matched by a 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 this week. The deal opens new avenues of collaboration between QTA and Mowasalat. The primary focus of the MOU is the development of all transport services related to cruise tourism to meet the growing demands of the sector, which expects to receive 200,000 visitors by 2020.

Jawaher AlKhuzaei, Acting PR and Marketing Director of QTA, said the new partnership with Mowasalat is a major step forward in enhancing visitor experience.

Transport services play a key role in shaping the 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. We will also be developing all supporting operations in preparation for a busy cruise season ahead.’

The agreement sets the 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 agreed upon standards.

Khalid Kafoud, Mowasalat Government Relations Manager, said that executing this agreement with QTA is part of mutual efforts being made by both parties to leverage the service for visitors and residents.

Mowasalat (Karwa) is focused on being a provider of world class innovative transport solutions and services in the region.’

Based on the MOU, QTA will work with Qatar Ports Authority Mwani to ensure that only authorised taxis can access the visitor arrival area at Doha Port.  Meanwhile, Mowasalat will ensure tourist transport prices are communicated one year in advance so that plans can be made accordingly. Mowasalat will also coordinate with suppliers that support the cruise season.

QTA had also recently signed an MOU with the German AIDA Cruises and the Italian Costa Cruises to include Doha in the winter cruise itineraries. Cruise ships from the two companies are expected to bring approximately 45,000 passengers to Doha during the 2018/2019 season.

For updates and more information, check out the QTA website at visitqatar.qa.