Celestyal refines ‘Iconic Arabia’ sailings for 2025 following a successful first Arabian Gulf season
Soon to conclude its first Arabian Gulf season in March, Celestyal has announced an itinerary refresh for its new-for-2025, Arabian Gulf three-, and four-night ‘Iconic Arabia’ sailings onboard Celestyal Discovery. Based on feedback from the hugely popular first season, guests and their valued travel agent community and regional partners, the itineraries will now feature additional stops in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha, with the introduction of Ras Al Khaimah as a new port of call. The new itineraries have been renamed and are as follows: The prices above are part of the current ‘Live Your Vacation Dream’ promotion available on new bookings made until March 16, 2025, and include up to €100 of complimentary specialty drinks and dining per person pre-loaded on each guest’s CelestyalPay tab*. Lee Haslett, chief commercial officer at Celestyal, said: “We strive to deliver unmissable experiences, and in doing so constantly listen to our guests, and travel agent community. Following a hugely successful first season in the Arabian Gulf we learnt more about what our guests and partners would like to see and are excited to announce these changes based on their feedback. Since launching our winter season Arabian Gulf itineraries, we’ve been thrilled by the positive response and the growing interest from both repeat and new-to-cruise customers in exploring this spectacular region. “Our guests have told us they love iconic destinations like Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi, as well as discovering more off-the-beaten-track ports that are synonymous with a Celestyal voyage, such as Sir Bani Yas Island and the coastal resort of Khasab. We’re known for our destination immersive and port intensive cruises, so we have refined our 2025 itineraries to offer more time in our guests favourite ports, while adding an additional port in the stunning Ras Al Khaimah.” The 1360-guest Celestyal Discovery will commence her inaugural Arabian Gulf season in the region on December 12, 2025, joining her fleet mate, the 1260-guest Celestyal Journey, who returns to the Arabian Gulf on December 6, 2025. Celestyal Journey will operate the popular ‘Desert Days’ itinerary as planned, starting the season with an Abu Dhabi Grand Prix celebratory cruise. The cruise line will then offer a combination of 7-night, 3- and 4-night Gulf itineraries from December through to March on both ships, for the next three consecutive seasons. For more information, visit celestyal.com or call 0808 258 4170.
Qatar Tourism Concludes the 51st Meeting of the UN Tourism Regional Commission for the Middle East and the “Sports Tourism and the Tourism Industry Post-World Cup” Conference
The State of Kuwait has been appointed as the Chair of the Regional Committee for the 2025-2027 term, and The State of Qatar has been appointed as the First Vice-Chair of the committee. Qatar Tourism hosted the 51st meeting of the UN Tourism Regional Commission for the Middle East on February 12, 2025, with high-level delegations from thirteen member states. The meeting focused on evaluating achievements, analysing sector trends, and identifying key priorities for boosting tourism in the region. The UN Tourism confirmed that the Middle East had the fastest global recovery from the impacts of the pandemic in 2024. The meeting emphasised the importance of regional cooperation. Kuwait was appointed to serve as Chair of the Regional Commission for the 2025-2027 period, with Qatar appointed as First Vice-Chair and Iraq as Second Vice-Chair. Qatar’s appointment as First Vice-Chair reflects its growing leadership in the tourism sector and its active role in driving regional and global tourism development. The meeting also confirmed that Kuwait will host the next session (the 52nd Regional Meeting) in 2026, underscoring the continued regional collaboration to promote sustainable tourism development in the Middle East. Additionally, Qatar Tourism hosted the “Sports Tourism and the Tourism Industry After the World Cup” conference on February 13, 2025. The event brought together experts and specialists to discuss the impact of major sporting events on tourism in the region, focusing on how to leverage the momentum from large-scale events such as the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ to boost sports tourism. The conference highlighted Qatar’s successes in this area and the role of major investments in sports clubs and global athletes in reinforcing the Middle East’s position as a prominent sports and tourism hub globally. The conference also explored the role of technology in enhancing the sports tourism experience in the region, the collaboration between Qatar and neighbouring countries to establish the Middle East as a global sports tourism destination, and the role of sports in promoting the destination’s brand across the region, drawing from Qatar’s successful experiences and lessons learned. These events reinforce Qatar Tourism’s commitment to enhancing the country’s status as a global tourism hub, hosting major events, and developing innovative strategies to support sustainable tourism. This is in line with Qatar’s broader vision to drive economic growth and strengthen tourism as a vital sector for the future.
Moscow Strengthens Tourism Ties with Qatar Amid Growing Visitor Numbers
Doha, Qatar – [February, 12] – The Moscow City Tourism Committee embarked on a strategic roadshow in the Middle East, reinforcing its commitment to fostering long-term tourism partnerships. With Qatar emerging as a key market, the delegation is focused on accelerating visitor growth, deepening collaboration, and showcasing Moscow as a premier destination for travelers from the region. Tourism between Moscow and the Qatar has witnessed unprecedented growth. In the first nine months of 2024, approximately 9,000 travelers visited Moscow — a remarkable increase compared to the entire year of 2023 and three times higher than the number recorded in 2019. The seamless visa-free entry and 14 weekly direct flights between Moscow and Doha have significantly facilitated travel, further cementing Moscow’s appeal as a key destination for Middle Eastern visitors. During meetings in Doha, discussions focused on elevating Moscow’s appeal among Qatar visitors by leveraging cultural exchange, exclusive events, and tailored travel experiences. Popular travel segments among Middle Eastern visitors include group, family, corporate, medical, and sports tourism, each designed to provide immersive and personalized experiences. During his meeting with representatives of the tourism sector, His Excellency Mr. Dmitry Dogadkin, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the State of Qatar, acknowledged the contributions of the Moscow City Tourism Committee. “We are pleased to see that a growing number of Qataris and expatriates in the country are becoming more familiar with Moscow, its culture, and its history, providing them with a broader opportunity to discover Russia,” said the Ambassador. “We hear only positive feedback from tourists who have visited our capital and other cities in Russia.” His Excellency highlighted the nature of the Russia-Qatar relations, which are based on the principle of mutual respect, emphasizing the importance of strengthening economic cooperation in all areas of shared interest. In this context, the Russian diplomat explained that tourism remains a strong bridge between nations and a key element in enhancing human and cultural ties between people. As part of its ongoing efforts to enhance the experience for Middle Eastern tourists, Moscow is making significant investments in hospitality, infrastructure, and visitor services. The city is expanding its high-end accommodation options, enhancing Arabic-language accessibility, and curating exceptional culinary experiences to cater to Middle Eastern preferences. “Moscow is rapidly becoming a preferred destination for tourists from the Middle East thanks to our well-developed infrastructure, mild climate, and unique blend of modern amenities with rich Russian traditions. Our official tourism portal, Discover Moscow, serves as an invaluable resource for international visitors, providing essential travel information and guiding them through the city’s attractions. With over 22,000 dining options, an unrivaled shopping scene, and an iconic metro system that doubles as a cultural landmark, Moscow offers an enriching experience for every visitor,” said Evgeny Kozlov, Chairman of the Moscow City Tourism Committee. As Moscow continues to position itself as a must-visit global destination, expanding strategic partnerships with the Qatar remains a priority. The city is set to introduce innovative tourism formats, immersive cultural experiences, and expanded guided tours to attract more visitors from the Qatar and beyond. In Moscow, there’s an international restaurant guide called GreatList.com, now available in English and Arabic. It operates in Doha, Dubai, and many other countries worldwide. The guide showcases over 100 restaurants, organized for any occasion. Furthermore, the founder, Alexander Sysoev, has announced plans to introduce a loyalty program specifically for tourists from Qatar.Tourists from Qatar increasingly view Moscow as a new and unique destination offering high-end experiences, including luxury shopping and five-star accommodations. Qatar travelers represent a key segment of Moscow’s growing tourism industry. For more information, please visit: For media inquiries, please contact: presstourism@mos.ru The Moscow City Tourism Committee
