Bahraini tourists make a beeline to Qatar

Manama : The number of travellers from Bahrain to Qatar has increased during the first half of this year when compared to last year, according to an official report. 

Statistics released by Qatari authorities revealed that the number of visitors from Bahrain to Qatar has increased by one per cent this year. The findings were revealed in Qatar Tourism Authority’s (QTA) tourism performance summary for the first half of 2016. 

As per the report, Qatar welcomed 665,355 Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nationals in the first six months of 2016.

“Visitors’ arrival figures should see a further increase in Q4 as the 2016/17 cruise season begins in October. Thirty-two ships have already registered to dock at Doha’s ports. They are expected to carry over 50,000 visitors on board, a ten-fold increase from last year,” said Qatar chief tourism development officer Hassan Al-Ibrahim. 

 “This growth will continue as QTA and its partners set in motion plans to redevelop Doha Port, creating an attractive stop for cruise ships in the Gulf,” he remarked.

“The overall decline in visitors’ arrivals and occupancy are consistent with trends seen across the region. As economic conditions improve and the number of travellers rises again, we are determined to be ready with tourism products that can retain leisure visitors, and increase the average length of stay of business visitors,” he said.

“We are actively engaged on many fronts in line with the Qatar National Tourism Sector Strategy 2030 to develop a sustainable tourism sector. It includes our efforts to encourage investment in tourism, boosting cruise tourism and expanding international promotional activity,” Al Ibrahim added.