Qatar Daily News

Qatar and Monaco have announced the launch of a joint venture international company that would purchase and administer hotels and tourist resorts in Europe, North America and the Middle East.

Named ‘Monaco QD International Hotels and Resorts Management’, Monaco’s National Company for Finance and Qatari Diar are its joint owners. The initial capital of the company is €5m.

The headquarters of the company will be in Monaco although Qatar has a majority stake in the venture. The company will buy and administer hotels outside Monaco.

Qatar Airways has been named among the top three airlines in the world at the latest Skytrax World Airline Awards 2010.

The honour was among several awards that the airline collected at a ceremony in the northern German port city of Hamburg. Qatar Airways’ global ranking among more than 200 international airlines rose to number three in the world – up from fourth spot last year – further cementing its stature as a world leading airline.

Qatar Airways, which remains one of a select-few carriers with a Skytrax Five Star ranking, also claimed the World’s Best Business Class award in one of the most hotly contested categories. The airline’s Business Class catering was recognised separately as the best in the world.
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Qatar Airways is set to open direct flights from Incheon International Airport to Doha beginning at the end of March.

The direct flights will undercut the flight time of the previous route –via Osaka — by five hours.

The Doha International Airport is in the middle of a fierce competition to attract more air traffic with Dubai and is now going through phase 1 of its renovations to be completed in 2011 that looks to make significant upgrades in its facilities.
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The growing trend of cruises around the Middle East gets a big boost today as industry giant Royal Caribbean begins its first season of voyages in the region.

The line’s 2,501-passenger Brilliance of the Seas is setting sail out of Dubai on a seven-night trip to historic Muscat, Oman; Fujairah and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates; and Mina Sulman, Bahrain.
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Qatar Duty Free has launched its latest inflight magazine offering all Qatar Airways passengers an even greater choice of products than ever before.

The 124-page Shopping Extravaganza Magazine is packed full of new and best-selling products including fragrances for men and women, designer make-up, jewelry and electronic gadgets.

Qatar Airways passengers will be spoilt for choice when they browse through the new glossy magazine which contains not only 107 brand new products but also 56 of the best-selling products of all time.

In addition to being the first airline in the world to stock fragrances from leading designer, Narciso Rodriguez, onboard at duty free prices, Qatar Airways is also the only airline in the Middle East to be able to offer its passenger the chance to purchase the GARMIN Satellite Navigation system for Europe and North America as well as a whole range of Jo Malone products.
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Chairman of the Qatar Tourism Authority Ahmed Abdullah Al Noaimi said Wednesday he expects the tourism sector to contribute generously to the country’s national income within four to five years from now.

Al Noaimi pointed out that the QTA is currently cooperating with the World Tourism Organization (WTO) to establish a new system to be specialised in calculating the tourism sector’s revenues and how much they contribute to the national income.

Dubai is rapidly emerging as the destination of choice for global cruise liners and passengers alike, with figures showing that the number of cruise tourists visiting Dubai is expected to increase by almost 80 per cent from 2008 to 2010. And the opening of the new Dubai Cruise Terminal by the end of January 2010 will allow for more passengers and ships than ever before. Located at the crossroads between east and west, Dubai has the location and facilities to rival the competition; offering the epitome of luxury and affordable holidays which offer something for everyone for pre and post cruise stays.
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Qatar royal family has bought a five-star hotel in Marmaris town of southwestern province of Mugla, Turkey.

The company owned by Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Ahmad Ali al-Thani bought Munamar Hotel in Icmeler hamlet in Marmaris, officials said. Al-Maselah Construction and Industry Co. paid 22 million Turkish lira ($15.06 million) for the hotel. (One dollar equals 1.48 TL)

Munamar Hotel has totally 180 rooms including 13 suites and 2 king suites.

Source: Marmaris Guidebook

Qatar Airways has taken delivery of two Boeing 777-200 Long Range aircraft and two Airbus A320s, raising its fleet size up to 76.
One of the two newly-delivered Boeing 777-200LRs will be used to boost frequency on the recently-launched non-stop Doha-Melbourne route from the current three-flights-a-week to daily beginning January 1, while the second Boeing 777-200LR has been deployed on flights to the Far East.

Qatar’s first aqua park in Doha is set to open to the public in April 2010.

Featuring a giant wave pool, lazy river and various slides and water shoots, the park on the Salwa Road, will help boost tourism to the country, officials told Gulf News.

The first 100,000m sq phase is set to open next year, with a 300,000m sq resort currently under construction due to be completed in June 2011.
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