Mr. Ahmed Al Nuaimi, Chairman of Qatar Tourism Authority, welcomed Sheikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, Minister of Culture and Information of Bahrain, to the Qatar pavillion. Mr. Al Nuaimi briefed the Minister on its plans to build a sustainable tourism industry and the developments taking place in the specific areas of culture, sports and leisure.

The participants were pleased with their meetings.

“This has been a really good show for us in 2010,” said Shahid Khan of Destinations of the World. “In 2009 it was more a networking event, whereas this year we got down to business. We have had a good mix of buyers – incentive and leisure, from many different countries. The hosted buyer program has helped the event to improve the seriousness of the visitors.”

Aditi Eid, of Qatar International Adventures (QIA) agreed. “I haven’t stopped since I arrived. My days are filled with back to back with pre-scheduled meetings, and I am balancing other meetings in-between. It has been very busy, and very positive. We have a lot of really good prospects we will follow up on and business to start planning.” QIA has been promoting ‘responsible tourism’, highlighting the organization’s efforts to respect the country’s beautiful natural landscapes while bringing tourists around to the various sites in Qatar. The initiative is well respected by visiting tourists. “We go back to the desert camps and other sites after the end of the tour to ensure a proper clean up and that nothing is left behind to pollute the environment or cause damage.”

Representing organizations promoting culture tourism, the Museum of Islamic Art and the Qatar Marine Festival participated with Qatar Tourism Authority. Faisal Haman Adama of the Museum of Islamic Art is pleased with the meetings the team has had. “Culture tourism is an important focus of tourism in Qatar. We have had really good meetings with incentive organizers interested in the Museum’s collections and cultural offering, as well as meeting organizers considering the Museum as a venue for VIP events.”

Qatar’s hotels and attractions are in high demand. Destination management companies around the region are looking to add Qatar’s hotels to their brochures. Terry Kinane, of PRO Training in Dubai, is looking for a hotel venue specifically in Qatar to hold its training programs. “Qatar is so close, and with the great economic outlook, there is a boom of hotels booming. It is easy to get around, and with all the new quality hotels opening it is an ideal new location for our events.” Ms. Eva Soo of Musa Travel Tours in Malaysia is looking for the ideal high-class location for arranging business travel and incentives for her clients. “We are very interested in Qatar. The culture and nature attractions and activities will be appealing to our clients.”

Of the event, Cristina Mules, Marketing for Qatar Tourism Authority commented: “Our experience at Arabian Travel Market has been very good. It is a better event than other trade shows as the buyers are serious and the quality of the meetings are very good. We can see from the number of people coming to the Middle East hall that our region is in demand for international travelers.   We have met many travel planners who are really interested in Qatar as a destination for their clients.”

QTA is accompanied by a distinguished delegation from the hospitality, culture and leisure sectors in Qatar, including representatives from the Ministry of Culture, Qatar Marine Festival Committee and Museum of Islamic Art.  Also exhibiting with Qatar Tourism Authority were major hotels and top destination management companies including Movenpick Tower and Suites Hotel, Seef Best Western, Swiss Belhotel, Millennium Hotel Doha, Ramada Plaza Doha, Holiday Villa Hotel & Residence City Center, Doha Marriott Hotel, Grand Regency Hotel, Renaissance Doha City Center Hotel, La Cigale Hotel, the Sharq Village & Spa, the Ritz Carlton Hotel, Qatar International Adventures, Arabian Adventures, FAL Travelmart Travel & Tours WLL, Regency Travel & Tours, and Destination of the World.