Qatar Tourism Reaffirms Commitment to Cruise Tourism at ICS Madrid 2026

Doha, November 12 (QNA) - Qatar Tourism participated in the International Cruise Summit (ICS) Madrid 2026, held on November 10 and 11, an event sponsored by Visit Qatar.

A statement from Qatar Tourism said the participation reaffirmed the agency's strong commitment to cruise tourism and strengthening its position as a leading regional cruise destination.

Qatar Tourism was represented by Omar Abdulrahman Al Jaber, Chief of Operations Affairs at Qatar Tourism, who took part in a talk titled "Destination in the Spotlight" on November 10.

In conversation with Virginia Lopez Valiente, Founder and CEO of Cruises News Media Group and the International Cruise Summit, Al Jaber discussed Qatar's tourism development, future direction and the opportunities it offers cruise passengers, operators and industry partners.

The Qatar Tourism delegation and representatives from Old Doha Port, alongside members of the Cruise Arabia Alliance, attended summit sessions and held meetings with cruise lines to strengthen industry partnerships and explore opportunities for future collaboration.

Organized by Cruises News Media Group, ICS Madrid brings together senior executives from cruise lines, port authorities, tourism destinations and the wider maritime industry to exchange insights and discuss developments shaping the global cruise sector.

Commenting on Qatar's participation, Al Jaber said: "Cruise tourism is an important part of Qatar's broader tourism ambitions, and our presence at ICS Madrid reflects a long-term commitment to the sector. Cruise deployment is planned years ahead, which is why we continue to work closely with cruise lines and partners today. We look forward to exploring future deployment and itinerary opportunities that bring more travelers to experience Qatar."

Qatar offers cruise operators an integrated tourism ecosystem, combining modern facilities at Doha Port with international connectivity through Hamad International Airport and Qatar Airways, which serves more than 170 destinations.

More than 42,000 hotel rooms support pre and post cruise stays, and a compact geography enable visitors to experience cultural attractions, dining, beaches and desert landscapes within a single port call. These attributes position Doha as both a port of call and a homeport. (QNA)