MSC Cruises has appointed United Tours and Cruise as its general sales agent in Qatar as its pushes to increase its market share in the Middle East cruise sector.

The announcement was made during a ceremony aboard MSC World Europa on her port call in Doha, Qatar, during her 2022/23 cruise season in the region, sailing roundtrip from Dubai.

A three-day educational roadshow for nearly 400 travel agents in the Middle East is also being held aboard the cruise ship, the largest in the MSC fleet and the largest ever to homeport in the region.

MSC World Europa

Similar events will take place onboard in the next two days the for the travel agency communities based in Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the UAE, highlighting 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; MSC World Europa and MSC Opera in the Arabian Gulf, and MSC Splendida in the Red Sea out of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

“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,” said Angelo Capurro, Executive Director, MSC Cruises. “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,” he 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,” said Joseph Abdo, Chief Executive Officer, Qatar Investors Group, the parent company of United Tours and Cruises.

“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,” he added. “This appointment will also accelerate further growth of the cruise industry in Qatar.”

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.