Doha, QATAR (9 December 2010) – Qatar Tourism Authority has, this month, been busy promoting Qatar at two back-to-back travel trade shows in Europe with enormous success.

First on the agenda was the Global Meetings and Incentive Exhibition (EIBTM) which took place in Barcelona at the end of last week (30 November to 2 December). Qatar, once again, attracted significant interest as a destination amongst buyers and travel professionals from the meetings, incentive, convention and exhibition industry (MICE).

EIBTM brings together all the major players from the global meetings and incentive industry and is one of the biggest and best-attended exhibitions on the annual MICE calendar. Delivering dozens of new initiatives to maximize business for both suppliers and buyers this year’s 22^nd EIBTM attracted over 3,125 exhibitors from over 90 countries and a record-breaking 4,010 trade visitors, reflecting a 5% increase on last year.

Partnering QTA on the stand at the three-day event were officials from the Qatar Convention Centre, Swiss-Belhotel Doha, Best Western Doha Seef Hotel, The Diplomatic Club, La Cigale Hotel, W Hotel and Gulf Adventure Tourism.

Commenting on QTA’s successful participation in EIBTM, Mohammed Al Ansari, A/Head of Licensing & Classification Tourism Activities from QTA said: “Our main objective in having a presence at such a high profile event as EIBTM is to raise awareness of Qatar and to position the country as one of the world’s leading business and MICE destinations. We, along with representatives from our seven stand partners, have enjoyed a number of exceptionally positive meetings with some of the industry’s most influential buyers, whilst the excellent networking opportunities gave us an opportunity to discuss some of the key topics and challenges affecting the conference tourism sector with other industry experts.”

Mr. Al Ansari continued: “Barely touched by the global economic situation, Qatar is one of the fastest growing economies in the world and, coupled with the country’s modern yet culturally rich Arabian experience not to mention the state-of-the-art facilities on offer; it is increasingly being seen as an ideal, quality destination for meetings and events. We all have a lot of following up to do now as we build on relationships made during the show and forge ahead with facilitating the numerous familiarization trips that were requested on our stand.”

As well as the pre-scheduled one-on-one meetings, QTA also carried out a number of very well-received presentations to groups of buyers and trade professionals and corporate event planners from all around the world were keen to express their interest in Qatar as a new destination in which to host their events.

Mr Ramesh Chhabra, Agilent Technologies Regional Travel Manager explained that he and his colleagues are keen to find a new and exciting destination to offer to their clients: “We are always on the look-out for interesting destinations that we haven’t previously considered. Following QTA’s informative and enlightening presentation it is clear that Qatar has a lot to offer and, perhaps, even more to offer than some of its neighbouring Gulf States. Our next step will be to start the process of arranging fam trips with QTA so that we are subsequently able to sell Qatar as a MICE destination to our customers.”

Two senior representatives from Argentina’s Leisure Express were also impressed with the presentation, after which they mentioned that they are keen to hear about any promotional activities taking place in Latin America in the future so as to educate their staff and clients on Qatar’s unique offering as a meetings and incentive destination.

In addition, Director of Active Sales Management in Belgium, Roland Vannisten, explained: “Our incentive groups can range from 10 up to 250 people with an average stay usually being around a week. Our clients are mainly from Belgium, Germany and Luxembourg. I thought that the presentation was excellent and I very much look forward to getting back to Belgium where I will most certainly consider Qatar as a possible destination for our clients.”

My Jayant Chheda of India-based Jay Tours and Travel was quick to request information about any available fam trips: “I think that there is a strong opportunity in Qatar for MICE travellers from India and I fully intend to take advantage of any upcoming fam trips.”

QTA then moved on to Cannes for the exclusive International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) which took place from 6 to 9 December. QTA along with five partners from Doha’s luxury travel scene, successfully showcased Qatar as a luxury destination by highlighting its unique travel experiences to the visiting international luxury travel buyers.

An invitation only event, ILTM Cannes helps exhibitors and buyers grow their businesses by offering opportunities for pre-scheduled meetings as well as highly effective networking opportunities where experts in the luxury travel market can discusses current and predicted trends related to the industry as a whole.

QTA received extremely encouraging feedback from visitors to the stand the majority of whom were keen to find out more about the unique and diverse luxury travel experience that Qatar provides its visitors with.

Daniel Jang, General Manager, Premium Pass International, said: “I was at the Qatar Tourism Authority roadshow in Seoul which was an extremely positive and informative event that taught me more about what Qatar has to offer. Because of that roadshow, I wanted to come to the QTA stand at ILTM to find out even more as I organize travel for groups of corporate and leisure travelers all of whom I think would be very interested in Qatar as a destination.”

Mr. Jang added: “Even better is the fact that Qatar Airways now offer direct flights between Doha and Seoul making it more convenient for my clients to visit Qatar as they can even add in a stop over there on their way to Europe.”

Another very satisfied QTA stand visitor was Mr. Michael Choi who congratulated Qatar on winning the 2022 bid: “I think that Qatar did a great presentation for the World Cup 2022 bid, and am so happy that the country won. It is now time for Qatar to show what it can do! I am going to be organizing a fam trip to Qatar very soon.”

Mohammed Al Ansari, A/Head of Licensing & Classification Tourism Activities from QTA, concluded that: “We, and our hotel partners, have enjoyed a thoroughly successful ILTM. Qatar is an ideal destination for MICE, business and leisure travellers but it is up to us to make sure that we shout loudly about how much it has to offer. It is therefore essential that QTA has a presence at all of the big travel trade shows so that we can go about putting Qatar firmly on the travel map with the people that matter. As the last two trades shows that QTA will be attending in 2010, EIBTM and ILTM provided the perfect end to what has already been an enormously successful year for QTA and Qatar.”