QTA mulls opening more overseas offices

Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) will be opening more overseas offices to attract visitors, chief tourism development officer Hassan al-Ibrahim said yesterday.
“We are doing our best to increase the numbers and recover from the slowdown in the industry,” he explained on the sidelines of the agreement signing for an efficient and transparent visa application system catering to travellers seeking to visit Qatar.
Citing that the slowdown is a global trend this year, he expressed optimism that their several initiatives would significantly help boost Qatar’s tourism.
“We are enhancing our visa processing system and we are opening up so when the global dynamics shifts, we are ready to pick up the opportunity again and be ready for the growth,” al-Ibrahim said.
He noted that the QTA offices in the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Turkey, Singapore, America and the GCC “are doing very well”, enticing many visitors to come to Qatar.
The official expressed confidence that cruise ships will bring more tourists to Qatar this coming 2016-2017 cruise season. QTA is expecting 32 ships and around 50,000 cruise passengers.
“Qatar’s wise leadership has recognised the potential that tourism has to support the nation in its pursuit of a diversified and sustainable economy,” al-Ibrahim said.
“Easing access to Qatar through visa facilitation is one of the crucial elements in achieving this growth and making a positive impact on our economy and enriching our society,” he stressed.
QTA has been promoting Qatar as a family and luxury destination to various parts of the world, including those from neighbouring GCC countries.
Qatar received around 1.7mn visitors during the first six months of this year of which more than 544,000 came from Saudi Arabia, considered to be the biggest market contributor to Qatar’s tourism.
“The tourism sector is really growing and we are ensuring that Qatar to have a world class and global provider of tourism facilities,” al-Ibrahim stressed.
He believes that the country has all the components to be a touristic destination such as “a best airline in the world” and “best airport in the world,” besides world class museums, souqs, and cultural facilities.
“Above all, visa facilitation will enhance our visitors’ experience of Qatar from the moment they begin planning their trip and give them a taste of our traditional hospitality before they have boarded the plane to Doha,” he added.