Qatar Tourism Authority was given the mission to develop Qatar into a leading world-class events destination for the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) sector, reputed for quality and excellence, and guiding the development of sustainable events and supporting infrastructure. By combining exhibitions and tourism under the unique control of the same authority, it enables QTA to create a unique tourism strategy, offering a business oriented destination, combined with leisure activities.

 

Qatar is already a regional hub for conferences and exhibitions, with 95% of the visitors coming for business, whether as an individual traveler or to attend a conference, a meeting, or an exhibition, and is targeting a 20 % increase of number of visitors for the next five years.

 

As part of its five-year plan, Qatar is investing US$17 billion into tourism infrastructure, including the construction of luxury hotels, resorts and meeting facilities. To meet forecasted demand, hotel capacity will increase by 400 % to over 29,000 luxury rooms and apartments by 2012.

 

Two new centres totaling a capacity of 95,000 square metres are scheduled to open.

Qatar has worked hard to develop local talent in the MICE sector, with the induction of new hospitality training programmes at Stenden University and QMDI (Qatar MICE Development Institute).

Qatar MICE Development Institute offers a course in event management that meets international standards, yet caters to the local market. Through a partnership with MPI, they have actively developed Qatari’s skills in the events industry by running the first certified meeting industry training programmes. The MPI Middle East office, based in Qatar, is supporting the entire Middle East region.

Qatar offers a perfect environment for such business tourism combined with leisure, just a hop away from the European market, yet offering a very different experience, with Arabian traditions and all luxury facilities.

 

Qatar is now seen as a one of the trendiest new destinations for upscale meeting organisers. Qatar is a quiet place, far from bustling mass-tourism, with all facilities and business opportunities at your fingertips.