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 Participates in the 9th GCC Ministerial Meeting for Tourism Officials
The State of Qatar participated in the 9th Meeting of Their Excellencies, the Ministers responsible for tourism in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries which was held February 17th, 2025, in Kuwait. The meeting explored ways to enhance tourism cooperation among member states and support regional integration in this vital sector. The Qatari delegation was led by His Excellency Mr. Saad bin Ali Al Kharji, Chairman of Qatar Tourism. The ministers commended the key achievements of Gulf tourism in 2024, which strengthened the GCC’s position as an attractive global tourism destination. These accomplishments were driven by major events and high-quality projects that promote tourism diversity and offer exceptional visitor experiences. The meeting also discussed the potential for further tourism collaboration among Gulf states through specialised discussion sessions, which examined prospects for tourism integration, mechanisms for unifying regional promotional efforts, and enhanced cooperation in organising joint events and initiatives. During the meeting, Al Ain was announced as the Gulf Tourism Capital for 2025, in recognition of its rich tourism offerings, including natural, cultural, and heritage assets that reflect the region’s diversity. Additionally, the establishment of GCC Tourism Day on January 20th each year was approved, providing an annual occasion to highlight the achievements of the Gulf tourism sector and showcase leading projects and initiatives. At the conclusion of the meeting, it was agreed that the next ministerial meeting will take place in April 2026 in the United Arab Emirates, continuing efforts to strengthen cooperation and develop joint tourism policies that support the sustainable growth of the Gulf’s tourism sector.
Qatar Travel Mart 2024 announces strategic partners and sponsors ahead of the largest tourism event in Qatar
Held under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar Doha, Qatar – November 18th, 2024: The highly anticipated Qatar Travel Mart (QTM) 2024 is set to officially launch later this month, with the event organizers announcing the strategic partners and sponsors who will play a key role in making this year’s edition the largest and most impactful to date. The event will take place from November 25-27, 2024 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC), and promises to be a landmark exhibition for the travel and tourism industry, both regionally and globally. The highly anticipated third edition of QTM is organized by NeXTfairs for Exhibitions and Conference, with the support of the Prime Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI). Visit Qatar has been confirmed as the ‘Strategic Partner’, ‘Katara Hospitality’ as the ‘Founding Partner’, and Visit Morocco as the ‘Title Sponsor’ of QTM 2024, reinforcing their commitment to supporting Qatar’s growing tourism sector. Their involvement highlights the importance of collaboration in driving forward Qatar’s ambitious tourism vision for 2030. “Katara Hospitality is honored to return as the founding partner of QTM for the third consecutive year, a partnership that underscores our unwavering commitment to shaping the future of luxury hospitality in Qatar and beyond. This event provides an invaluable platform to showcase our vision of excellence, innovation, and cultural heritage, while strengthening Qatar’s position as a premier global destination. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Nextfairs, Visit Qatar, and all key stakeholders for their exceptional collaboration and shared dedication to the growth and success of Qatar’s tourism industry. Together, we are building a legacy that will inspire future generations and elevate Qatar’s role on the world stage,” by Katara Hospitality. Mr. Rachid Hamzaoui, MNTO Middle East and India Director said, “Morocco is proud to be the title sponsor of QTM 2024, an opportunity to further strengthen the ties between Morocco and Qatar, particularly with the celebration of the Qatar-Morocco Years of Culture 2024, which highlights the shared cultural values and historical bonds between our two nations. The partnership with QTM, part of our “light in Action” strategy, underscores our unwavering commitment to promoting Morocco’s rich heritage and diverse tourism offerings, while fostering deeper cultural connections. We look forward to sharing our unique experiences and exploring new opportunities for collaboration with industry leaders at this prestigious event.” Furthermore, QTM 2024’s industrysupport is further recognized with global partners; the World Leisure Organization (WLO) as ‘Conference Partner’, World Tourism Association for Culture and Heritage (WTACH) as ‘Association Partner,’ as well as AMFORHT, who are the World Association for Hospitality & Tourism Education & Training, as ‘Association Partner.’ This year’s QTM will feature an expanded exhibition space of 15,000 square meters, allowing for more exhibitors and networking opportunities than ever before. With over 60 participating countries, 300 exhibitors, and an expected attendance of 12,000 visitors, QTM 2024 is set to surpass previous editions in terms of scale and impact. The exhibition will showcase seven dedicated sectors: Business, Leisure, Luxury, Medical, Cultural, Sports, and Halal Tourism. A main highlight of QTM 2024 will be the comprehensive conference component, featuring three distinct themes across three days: These themes align with Qatar’s National Vision 2030 by promoting sustainable development and positioning the country as a premier global destination for both leisure and business travel. As the fastest-growing tourism destination in the Middle East, the country’s efforts to drive forward the tourism goal to welcome more than 6 million visitors a year by 2030 have resulted in strides being made, as according to the latest World Tourism Barometer by UN Tourism, Qatar is one of the strongest performers in January – July 2024 (147% versus 2019)[1]. There will also be the Global Village, where attendees can immerse themselves incultural showcases from around the world while experiencing Qatar’s vibrant heritage firsthand. Rawad Sleem, Co-founder and General Manager of NeXTfairs said: “The announcement of our strategic partners and sponsors for QTM 2024 marks a significant milestone as we prepare for the largest edition of the event to date. Their invaluable contributions not only underscore the importance of collaboration in driving the future of Qatar’s tourism sector but also reflect our shared commitment to elevating Qatar’s position as a premier global destination. At NeXTfairs, we are excited to showcase the expanded scope of QTM 2024, which will provide unparalleled opportunities for networking, knowledge sharing, and business growth. We look forward to welcoming industry leaders from around the world to experience firsthand how Qatar is shaping the future of travel and tourism, as well as the invaluable support of the H.E. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI).” QTM 2024 will offer unparalleled opportunities for business networking through its Hosted Buyers Program, bringing together hosted buyers from around the world. In addition, B2B matchmaking sessions will enable exhibitors to engage directly with key decision-makers in the travel industry. With its focus on fostering partnerships, sharing knowledge, and exploring emerging trends such as sustainable tourism and experiential travel, QTM 2024 is poised to be a transformative event for all participants. For more information and registration details, please visit QTM’s website https://www.qtmqatar.com/. Alternatively, follow the event via X, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn or YouTube.
