Tag Archives: Doha

On November 27, 2026, the 1260-guest Celestyal Journey will be in Doha, for an eight-night Doha F1 itinerary. Similarly, the ship will stay in port for three nights, allowing guests to watch all practice sessions, qualifying and race day events*. They will then sail from Doha, visiting Dubai, UAE (overnight); Abu Dhabi, Sir Bani Yas Island, UAE; and Khalifa Bin Salman, Bahrain. Prices start from USD$839. On December 4, 2026, the 1360-guest Celestyal Discovery will be in Abu Dhabi, UAE, for a seven-night Abu Dhabi F1 itinerary. The ship will stay in port for three nights, allowing guests to watch all practice sessions, qualifying and race day events*. They will then depart Abu Dhabi on a four-night ‘Iconic Arabia’ sailing, calling at Doha, Qatar; Ras Al Khaimah, UAE; and Khasab, Oman. Prices start from USD$899. All fares include all meals, soft drinks, WiFi, port fees and gratuities. Race tickets will be available to purchase via Celestyal, with travel agents able to pre-register for tickets via the line’s agency sales team. Celestyal Journey will then continue her Arabian Gulf season, operating a new version of the seven-night ‘Desert Days’ itinerary through to March 2027, sailing roundtrip from Doha and calling at Dubai (overnight), Abu Dhabi, Sir Bani Yas Island and Bahrain. Celestyal Discovery, also operating through to March 2027, will sail the line’s three-, four- and seven-night ‘Iconic Arabia’ cruises, sailing roundtrip from Abu Dhabi, calling at Doha, Khasab, Dubai, Sir Bani Yas Island and Ras Al Khaimah. Lee Haslett, chief commercial officer at Celestyal, said: “Returning to the Arabian Gulf for a third consecutive season with both of our ships is a significant milestone for Celestyal, and a clear reflection of the demand …

Qatar Airways marked the launch of three non-stop weekly flights between Hamad International Airport (DOH) in Qatar and Hail International Airport (HAS), its 13th destination in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The new route underscores the airline’s strategic focus on expanding its presence across the Kingdom, highlighting the importance of the Saudi market in its global network. Aligned with Qatar Airways’ long-term commitment to enhancing regional connectivity, the new service is set to boost travel from Africa, the Indian Subcontinent, the Middle East and Southeast Asia to the north-central region of Saudi Arabia. With the addition of Hail, Qatar Airways will now operate over 150 weekly flights to 13 Saudi destinations including Abha, AlUla, Dammam, Jeddah, Medina, NEOM, Qassim, Riyadh, Tabuk, Taif, The Red Sea, and Yanbu. Voted the World’s Best Airline by Skytrax in 2025, Qatar Airways offers passengers from across the Kingdom seamless and world-class connectivity to more than 170 destinations globally through its award-winning Doha hub, Hamad International Airport. The Hail Province, located in north-central Saudi Arabia, is known for its rich history, cultural heritage, and distinctive desert landscapes, making it an appealing destination for travellers seeking nature experiences and adventures. Historically a key stop along ancient trade and pilgrimage routes, the region is home to UNESCO World Heritage Sites featuring rock art that reflect thousands of years of human presence. Today, Hail continues to grow as an important cultural and regional centre within the Kingdom. Qatar Airways flights to Hail International Airport (HAS) Departing every Monday, Thursday, and Saturday: Hamad International Airport (DOH) to Hail International Airport (HAS) – Flight QR1228: Departure 14:20; Arrival 16:30 Hail International Airport (HAS) to Hamad International Airport (DOH) – Flight QR1229: Departure …

The committee responsible for the GCC Tourism Capital has officially announced Doha as the GCC Tourism Capital for 2026, within the framework of strengthening joint tourism cooperation among GCC member states. This decision has been approved by Their Excellencies the Ministers responsible for tourism across the Gulf Cooperation Council. The selection follows a comprehensive strategic bid submitted by Qatar Tourism, which outlined the State of Qatar’s long-term vision for tourism and showcased Doha’s strengths as a destination that balances cultural authenticity, urban innovation, sustainability and quality of life. The bid aligns closely with national priorities focused on economic diversification and positions tourism as a key driver of sustainable growth. Commenting on the announcement, His Excellency Mr. Saad bin Ali Al-Kharji, Chairman of Qatar Tourism and Chair of the Board of Directors of Visit Qatar, said: “The selection of Doha as the GCC Tourism Capital for 2026 marks an important milestone that underscores the success of our leadership’s strategic vision in establishing tourism as a central pillar of the National Development Strategy and Qatar National Vision 2030. This recognition reflects the qualitative progress achieved in building an integrated and sustainable tourism ecosystem that is competitive at both regional and global levels, supported by world-class infrastructure, strong connectivity, and an exceptional visitor experience.” He added: “Looking ahead to 2026, this title provides a strategic platform to further strengthen Gulf tourism cooperation, stimulate investment, create new economic opportunities and deliver a lasting legacy that reinforces Doha’s position as a leading regional tourism hub; particularly in business events, major festivals, large-scale activations and family-friendly destination.” Doha’s selection was underpinned by a set of strategic pillars, including its advanced transport and mobility infrastructure. This encompasses …

Celestyal has expanded the shore excursion programme for its upcoming new-for-2025 ‘Iconic Arabia’ itineraries on its second ship to visit the region, Celestyal Discovery. New tours include experiences in Ras Al Khaimah – as the cruise line makes it maiden visit to the port – and additional options in Dubai, and Abu Dhabi. The 1360-guest Celestyal Discovery will officially launch the line’s new three-, four- and seven-night ‘Iconic Arabia’ cruises from 12 December 2025, sailing roundtrip from her winter homeport in Abu Dhabi. Ports of call include maiden visits to Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, in addition to Doha, Qatar; Khasab, Oman; Dubai, UAE; and Sir Bani Yas Island. Prices for three nights start from $367.44; four nights from $433.26pp; and from $749.32pp for the seven-night itinerary. Fares include all meals, soft drinks, WiFi, port fees and gratuities. The shore excursion programme has a range of half-day, full-day and two-day options. It also offers ‘Authentic Encounters’, which provide experiences with local people and attractions, and smaller group sizes. Highlights include: • ‘Journey to the Soul of Ras Al Khaimah’: A guided tour through the diverse landscapes of Ras Al Khaimah, starting with a scenic drive through desert dunes, followed by a visit to the royal camel racing stables, an Emirati date farm and a mountain village. Full-day tour from ($260pp ( • ‘Ras Al Khaimah and Suwaidi Pearls Farm, Authentic Encounter’: Starting with a tour of the House of Pearls by Suwaidi Pearls, including a journey on a traditional pearl fishing boat, and visiting Dhayah Fort and Ras Al Khaimah’s Old Town. Full-day tour from)$123pp ( • ‘Dubai from its Eye’: Starting with a scenic drive to Zabeel Palace, the residence …

Hamad International Airport (HIA) marked the inaugural China Southern Airlines flight CZ8059 from Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX), a milestone in strengthening air connectivity between Qatar and China. China Southern Airlines will operate the Doha–Beijing service three times weekly, providing direct access for passengers and cargo across two key international hubs. This development enhances Qatar’s position as a global aviation hub and offers new opportunities for travel trade partners, including tour operators, corporate travel planners, and freight forwarders, to design packages, facilitate international business travel, and streamline logistics. The route supports growth in tourism and commercial exchanges, enabling increased passenger flow between the Middle East and Asia. With the addition of this service, Hamad International Airport continues to expand its network, strengthening Qatar’s role as a gateway for international connectivity and fostering broader economic and cultural ties. The event featured a traditional water salute, ribbon-cutting, and formal welcomes, highlighting the strategic importance of the new route for trade, tourism, and business between the two nations. Senior representatives from China Southern Airlines and HIA attended the ceremony, reinforcing the collaborative effort behind this expansion.