Doha – Qatar, May 7th, 2011:
Qatar reaffirmed its growing reputation as a popular business, sporting and cultural visitor’s destination with its successful participation at the prestigious Arabian Travel Market (ATM) exhibition in Dubai last week.
Qatar Tourism Authority chairman Mr Ahmed Al-Nuaimi said there was significant interest in Qatar at the exhibition, particularly in relation to World Cup 2022, the number of new hotels and conference facilities in the pipeline and the emergent cultural offerings that Qatar now boasts.
“Qatar is definitely top of mind for many professionals within the industry,” said Mr Al-Nuaimi. “The World Cup 2022 win has certainly piqued interest in our status as an international sporting nation and Qatar’s burgeoning cultural sector is also attracting much attention.”
Representatives from the Qatar travel and tourism industry attended the 4-day ATM which ended on 5th May.. Qatar Airways had its biggest ever presence at this year’s event promoting its routes to Houston, Guangzhou and the southern Indian city of Kozhikode.
The ATM involved more than 320 main exhibitors and 2,000 companies, representing 69 countries and 57 national tourist organizations.
Mr Al-Nuaimi said that this year’s ATM was also significant because of the number of high-level and trade relationships that were cemented, reaffirming that Qatar is strategically and effectively growing its reputation as a destination of note.
Among the official meetings held, Mr Al-Nuaimi met with Argentinian Minister of Tourism, His Excellency Carlos Enrique Meyer, with a view to enhancing and developing opportunities for further economic, business and tourism collaboration between the two countries.
Qatar was also represented on a special sporting experts’ panel, where head of media for the Qatar Olympic Committee, Mr Hassan Abdullah Al-Mohammadi, discussed the importance of sports to Qatar as a nation, with a particular focus on winning the right to host the football World Cup in 2022.
“The ATM is a wonderful opportunity for Qatar to showcase itself to the tourism and travel industry, this is why we were very proud to sponsor Travel Agents Day at the exhibition, which is an opportunity for companies to promote their products and destination to travel agents visiting the stands,” said Mr Al Nuaimi.
This year travel agents were able to enter a “Passport to the World” competition that was won by lucky draw part of Travel Agents Day at ATM sponsored by QTA. Winners of this draw included Mr. Abdul Hanan of Gulf Travel and Tourism, Mr. Amjid Amjid of Zahid Travel Group and Mr. Ganesh M of Deira Travel and Tourist Agency. Prizes received included hotels stays and tours with La Villa hotel, Ramada and Regency Holidays. Over 70 travel agents visited the QTA stand on Thursday and participated in the competition.
QTA was accompanied at ATM by a distinguished delegation from the hospitality, culture, sports and leisure sectors in Qatar, including representatives from the Ministry of Culture, Qatar Marine Festival Committee, Museum of Islamic Art, and Cultural Village.
Also exhibiting with QTA were major hotels and top destination management companies including Movenpick Tower and Suites Hotel, Sheraton Doha Resort and Convention Hotel, Mellinnium Hotel Doha, Ramada Plaza Doha, Holiday Villa Hotel & Residence City Center, Doha Marriott Hotel, Renaissance Doha City Center Hotel, La Cigale Hotel, Sharq Village & Spa, and The Ritz Carlton Hotel. Arabian Adventures, FAL Travelmart Travel & Tours WLL, Regency Travel & Tours, and Destination of the World are also participating from the top tour operators and destination management companies in Qatar.
Earlier this year, as a result of Qatar’s strategy to embrace the MICE and Business sector, Qatar was awarded as the Middle East’s Leading Business Destination at the World Travel Awards Ceremony last night in Dubai at Armani Hotel the event host. This award was received by Mr. Ahmed Al Darwish, International Relations Specialist, on behalf of Qatar Tourism Authority.
