MSC Cruises today announced the appointment of United Tours and Cruise, the marine arm of Qatari Investors Group, as its general sales agent in Qatar, according to a press release.

Details of the new agreement were unveiled onboard the new MSC World Europa in Qatar’s capital city Doha as part of a three-day educational roadshow for nearly 400 travel agents in the Middle East.

Similar events will also take place in the next two days onboard the for the travel agency communities based in two cities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) – Dubai and Abu Dhabi – to highlight MSC Cruises’ drive to consolidate its position as the Middle East’s number one cruise brand.

MSC the Currently operates three vessels in the region; the MSC World Europa and MSC Opera in the Arabian Gulf and MSC Splendida in the Red Sea.

Angelo Capurro, Executive Director, MSC Cruises, said: “Winter cruises in the Middle East are growing in popularity with our guests from all over the world and the region is a very important aspect of our growing business. Such significance was recently reflected at the end of 2022 when Doha was chosen as the city to host the official naming ceremony of our largest ship to join our fleet, MSC World Europa. We are looking forward to develop further in Qatar and I am confident that United Tours and Cruises as our local agents will be the right partners for us to succeed with our ambition.”

Joseph Abdo, Chief Executive Officer, Qatar Investors Group, added: “We are delighted to announce this appointment as the exclusive GSA for MSC Cruises in Qatar which further strengthens our strategic partnership with the MSC Group. United Shipping Agency, the port agency division of QIG Marine Services, is the appointed vessel agent of MSC Cruises in Qatar and adding the GSA to the scope of our services complements our cruise-related service portfolio. This appointment will also accelerate further growth of the cruise industry in Qatar. As the country places great importance in the tourism sector as part of its strategy to position Qatar as a leading tourism destination and raising the tourism sector’s contribution to the gross domestic product to 12 per cent by 2030. We are very pleased to be working with MSC Cruises and we are looking forward to a close and successful collaboration.”

United Tours and Cruise will facilitate the cruise booking process for citizens and residents of Qatar and provide guests in the country and the local travel agency community with information and assistance during the pre- and post-booking process.