The Pearl as Global Destination for Marine Tourism and Yachting

The United Development Company, the master developer of The Pearl-Qatar and Gewan Islands, and Corinthia Group International, which operates hotels and high-end hospitality facilities, including Corinthia Yacht Club on the Pearl Island and Corinthia Hotel on Gewan Island, have signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the Monaco Marinas Management and the Monaco Yacht Club to comprehensively develop the sailing facilities and services on The Pearl and the State of Qatar.

The agreement was signed by Mr. Ibrahim Jassim Al-Othman, CEO and Board Member of UDC, Mr. Simon Naudi, CEO of Corinthia Hotels Group, in addition to Mr. Bernard D'Alessandri, General Secretary of Monaco Yachting Club, and Mr. Jose Marco Casellini, CEO of Monaco Marinas Management.

UDC stated that under the agreement, the Monaco Marinas Management will support the Corinthia Group in upgrading the sailing and yachting experiences and services that the Corinthia Yacht Club will provide and will support it in the process of obtaining the La Belle Classe classification, a prestigious certificate granted by the Monaco Yacht Club to luxury yacht marinas as a brand. For excellence in terms of quality of facilities, services, and safety.

The company indicated that work is currently underway to establish the Corinthia Yacht Club in the heart of the Porto Arabia Marina, which is expected to open before the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. This new project will extend over an area of 2,232 square meters and will provide many facilities including luxury restaurants, air-conditioned outdoor seating, ballroom meetings, and other services.

In this context, Mr. Ibrahim Jassim Al-Othman considered this strategic partnership to contribute to strengthening the position of the Pearl Island as a prominent marine destination in the world, in addition to the leadership of the Corinthia Yacht Club on the island in developing the hobby of yachting and sailing as an international sport.

Al-Othman said: “The beaches of the Pearl Island and its various marine facilities have been major attractions for visitors and tourists, so we are constantly working to enhance this attraction, and through a partnership with the management of Monaco Marinas, we will be able to move to the next stage in the development of Corinthia Yacht Club and upgrade the level of services and benefits it provides. For yacht owners, to become one of the leading marine entertainment centers in the region. This club will also constitute a qualitative addition to the distinctive facilities of the Pearl Island and will contribute to maintaining its brilliance as an integrated destination that provides rich experiences and introduces innovative concepts that serve tourism and hospitality.”

In turn, Bernard D’Alessandre said: “We are pleased to see the yachting world expand to new destinations that support our efforts to establish principles of sustainability in this field, by awarding the La Belle Class rating, which is part of the attractions of the emirate of Dubai and Monaco.”

For his part, Mr. Jose Marco Casellini expressed his great pleasure in enhancing Corinthia Hotels Group's endeavors to expand the provision of yachting services and to harness its vast experience to support the development of new facilities in Doha.