DOHA OCTOBER 1, 2011: A four-day visit by influential German travel experts concluded on Thursday, September 29 with an all-day workshop focusing on Qatar’s thriving tourism industry.

 

Organized by the Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) in conjunction with German travel industry publication Fvw, the delegation, which consisted of travel agents, meeting planners and buyers, was briefed by Qatar’s top tourism and hospitality experts about what the country can offer.

The workshop, held at Sharq Village and Spa, started with a presentation about QTA's vision, strategy and objectives of the tourism in Qatar. The workshop also focused on ways the two countries can cooperate and cross market their destinations to clients.

 

The day consisted of a series of briefings about Qatar’s tourism industry as well as Germany’s offerings. They were also given a presentation about Qatar’s potential as a leisure destination which was given by Ms. Julia Tischer, who said while it was “too early” to sell Qatar standalone destination to clients she suggested offering both Qatar and Oman as a “package”.

 

In another presentation, Mr. Oliver Graue spoke to Qatar’s travel experts about Germany as a MICE destination. Meanwhile and Ms. Anja Straub told German delegates that Qatar was an “ideal” MICE destination with a state of the art convention center and great leisure options including KATARA, the inland sea and a selection of luxury hotels.

 

The day also saw a panel discussion involving some of the leaders in Qatar’s hospitality industry – Mr.Tony Williams from Musheireb Properties, Mr. Stephen Floyd from Qatar National Hotels, Mr. Darell Shaeffer from The Pearl-Qatar, Mr. Joe Ghayyad from Sharq Village and Spa and Mr. Gerhard Foltin from the soon-to-be opened Aspire Torch Hotel.

 

The panel discussed their views of the hotel industry’s rapid development as well as strategies to maintain the high levels of occupancy in Qatar’s hotels. There as also discussion about Qatar’s hotel room rates, all believed when more rooms came onto the market, prices would decrease.

 

The final day concluded with a gala dinner at the Ritz Carlton Doha, attended by Her Excellency the Ambassador of Germany Mrs. Anne Ruth Herkes, who expressed her happiness at Qatar’s cooperation with Germany in the area of tourism.

 

The dinner ended by a raffle draw where a lucky winner Mr. Gerhard Krupka from Krupka and Partners in Germany won an iPad provided by the QTA.

 

The group left Qatar on Friday to return to Germany. Germany is the top tourism spender in Europe. Travel agents are the most important factor in recommending a destination and Germany has more travel agencies than any other country.

“The delegation was very impressed with Qatar and what is happening here,” said the QTA’s Soha AlFadl Moussa, who was instrumental in organizing and hosting the visit. “We have received positive reviews and comments from the delegation, about the quality of Qatar’s hotels, restaurants, facilities and of course the warm hospitality Qatar is note for. All have said they would be interested in recommending Qatar as a destination to their clients.”