Qatar Tourism Authority Launches Helicopter Tours

Doha, November 24 (QNA) - Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) Monday launched helicopter sightseeing tours in and around Qatar under the name Samana (Our Skies in Arabic) along with Gulf Helicopters and support of the Ministry of Transport and Qatar Armed Forces. Top tourism and transport ministers, aviation and hospitality sector officials attended the event held today at the headquarters of Gulf Helicopters at the old Doha Airport. HE the Minister of Transport Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti; Djibouti's Minister of Transport and Equipment Moussa Ahmad Hassan attended the event. Civil Aviation Authority Chairman Abdulaziz bin Mohammad Al Noaimi; Qatar Tourism Authority Chairman Issa bin Mohammed Al Mohannadi; Gulf Helicopters Chief Executive Officer Mohammed Ibrahim Al Mohannadi; and Regency Group Holdings Chairman Ibrahim Hassan Al Asmakh attended the launch ceremony. QTA planned this new tourism idea support from the Ministry of Transport and the Qatar Armed Forces and it will be operated by Gulf Helicopters. QTA also reached a partnership agreement with Regency Travels to promote and sell these helicopter tours. Speaking at the event HE Jassim Al Sulaiti said, "Tourism is one of the most important sectors connected with the transport and communications industries. There is a positive relationship between the two sectors. The more efficient and developed the transport sector, the more efficient and developed the tourism sector becomes. Consequently this boosts Qatar's economic development and is in line with the projected national vision 2030." The Transport Minister praised the initiative of QTA, Gulf Helicopters, Qatar Armed Forces, and other stakeholders. QTA Chairman Issa bin Mohammed Al Mohannadi said, "The importance of launching this new tourism project lies in strengthening the partnership between the public and private sectors with the aim of introducing ground-breaking tourism products that upgrade tourism and turn a visit to Qatar into an enriching and special experience by carrying out unique activities." Samana will attract leisure travellers to Qatar. This will boost Qatar's national tourism strategy towards 2030, which seeks to increase the ratio of visitors who are seeking leisure tourism in Qatar from currently 27% to 60% of all visitors by 2030, the QTA Chairman added. Thanking the Transport Minister and QTA Chairman, Gulf Helicopter CEO Mohammed Ibrahim Al Mohannadi said, "Today we celebrate together the start of the helicopter tourist tours project Samana. It is now possible for citizens, residents, and tourists to take their families on unique helicopter tours in the skies of Qatar." An official from Regency talked about the procedures of organizing aerial tours to be conducted every Friday and Saturday with two tours each day, from 9am to 12 noon, and 3pm to 6pm. The tours will be held in one of the GHC helicopters, knows as Bell 206L3 for 4 Passengers. This helicopter is one of the most successful helicopter designs in the world. They are used for civilian purposes and are safe and luxurious, the official said. After the launch ceremony the excellencies and senior officials went on an aerial tour of Qatar by helicopter. (END)