Qatar Airways Partners with Newport Beach Tourism
Qatar Airways has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Visit Newport Beach, California, to promote the southern Californian coastal destination to travellers across the Gulf states. Signed during Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai on 15 September 2026, the agreement aims to strengthen awareness of Newport Beach among residents of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and the United Arab Emirates.
The partnership brings together Qatar Airways’ international reach and Visit Newport Beach’s destination marketing expertise. Through joint promotional activities, the organisations intend to position Newport Beach as an appealing choice for Gulf travellers seeking luxury accommodation, coastal experiences, shopping, dining and family-friendly activities.
The agreement also provides a framework for targeted marketing campaigns and specially curated travel offers for residents of the Gulf region.
Qatar Airways and Visit Newport Beach Sign Tourism MoU
The MoU was signed at Dubai World Trade Centre during ATM 2026 by Hendrik Abraham Du Preez, Vice President Africa and Global Leisure Sales at Qatar Airways, and Glenn Johnston, Vice President Middle East at Aviareps and Visit Newport Beach’s Middle East representative.
The agreement establishes a framework for cooperation in marketing and destination promotion. Its focus is to increase Newport Beach’s visibility among travellers from the Gulf states and encourage interest in the destination’s hospitality, leisure and lifestyle experiences.
Kamia Kinchlow, Vice President of Global Luxury Leisure at Visit Newport Beach, said the agreement marked an important step in building awareness and demand among discerning Middle Eastern travellers and families.
She highlighted the destination’s shopping, hospitality, dining, wellness, boating and family attractions as experiences the partnership would help showcase.
The collaboration also reflects Visit Newport Beach’s focus on the Middle East as a priority source market for luxury tourism and business exchange.
Newport Beach Targets Luxury Travellers from the Gulf
Located in southern California, Newport Beach is known for its coastline, waterfront setting and range of leisure experiences. The destination combines beach activities with upscale accommodation, dining, shopping and boating.
For travellers from the Gulf states, the partnership aims to highlight options for relaxed coastal holidays and family trips. Newport Beach’s hospitality and leisure offerings can appeal to visitors looking for a combination of luxury experiences, outdoor activities and time by the Pacific Ocean.
The destination is also positioned as a base for exploring other parts of southern California. According to the announcement, Newport Beach is approximately 45 minutes from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), although journey times can vary depending on traffic and travel conditions.
Its location gives visitors opportunities to plan wider regional itineraries that may include theme parks, national and state parks, and scenic coastal drives.
Joint Marketing Campaigns and Special Travel Offers
A central part of the Qatar Airways and Visit Newport Beach partnership will be joint digital and marketing activations targeting residents of the Gulf states.
The planned activities will include specially curated value-driven packages and offers designed around the interests of travellers in the region. Eligible offers will be made available through a dedicated Newport Beach landing page on Qatar Airways Holidays.
The initiative aims to make it easier for prospective visitors to discover the destination and explore available holiday options. By combining destination promotion with travel offers, the partners intend to connect marketing activity with practical trip-planning opportunities.
The announcement does not specify the full range of packages, promotional periods or eligibility conditions. Travellers should therefore check the dedicated Qatar Airways Holidays page for current offers, booking terms and availability before making arrangements.
Coastal Experiences, Dining and Family Attractions
Visit Newport Beach is seeking to showcase a range of experiences that extend beyond its beaches. These include waterfront activities, boating, shopping, dining, wellness and hospitality.
For families, the destination can also serve as a starting point for exploring southern California’s wider leisure attractions. Visitors can plan coastal outings alongside trips to regional theme parks and outdoor destinations, depending on their interests and length of stay.
The partnership’s emphasis on luxury lifestyle experiences is intended to appeal to travellers who value both relaxation and activities during their holidays. Newport Beach’s coastal setting provides a different option for Gulf residents considering a trip to the United States.
The joint marketing initiative will help introduce these experiences to prospective visitors in Qatar and other Gulf markets, with the aim of strengthening the destination’s profile among international leisure travellers.
Strengthening Travel Links Between the Gulf and California
The MoU reflects a broader effort to build connections between travel businesses and destination marketing organisations. Airlines can support destination promotion by connecting travellers with international markets, while tourism bodies can help communicate the experiences available at their destinations.
For Visit Newport Beach, the partnership provides an opportunity to reach potential visitors across six Gulf markets through Qatar Airways’ travel ecosystem and targeted promotional activity.
For Qatar Airways, the collaboration adds a destination-focused initiative to its engagement with leisure tourism partners. The agreement is intended to help promote Newport Beach as a holiday option for travellers seeking coastal scenery, premium hospitality and family activities in California.
The collaboration’s impact will depend on the promotional campaigns and offers introduced, as well as travellers’ interest in visiting the destination.
What the Partnership Means for Gulf Travellers
The Qatar Airways and Visit Newport Beach agreement introduces a focused marketing effort aimed at travellers from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and the UAE.
The planned campaigns will highlight Newport Beach’s coastal setting, luxury hospitality, dining, shopping and recreational experiences. Specially curated offers through Qatar Airways Holidays will provide a dedicated channel for travellers to explore eligible holiday options.
For visitors planning a wider California trip, Newport Beach’s location in southern California can also support itineraries combining coastal stays with other regional attractions.
The MoU establishes a framework for cooperation rather than confirming new flight routes or a change in air services. Its primary focus is destination promotion, marketing collaboration and the development of travel offers for Gulf residents.
Through the partnership, Qatar Airways and Visit Newport Beach aim to strengthen the destination’s visibility and encourage more travellers from the Gulf to consider southern California for their next holiday.
Ahmed Abdul Wasey
Managing Editor, Eat ‘N Stays
Ahmed Abdul Wasey is the Managing Editor in Eat ‘N Stays, overseeing all editorial coverage of travel, hospitality, and food across Saudi Arabia and the wider Gulf region. He sets the publication’s editorial direction and reviews coverage across hotels, restaurants, tourism, cruise, and industry news before it publishes.
Have a story tip, correction, or question about our coverage? Reach Ahmed directly at pr@eatnstays.com.
