HE Chairman of Qatar Tourism and Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker, said that Qatar Tourism prepared for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, the world's largest sporting event, and for the post-tournament phase by focusing its efforts to a large extent to offer a distinguished experience for residents and international visitors through its Service Excellence training courses, in addition to digital transformation, and active promotion of Qatar in the global tourism markets as a leading tourist destination, in addition to issuing licences for hotel and tourist facilities, tourism activities, festivals, tourism events and their organising offices.
In exclusive statements to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Al Baker highlighted the launch of the 'Qatar Host' program, the first online tourism training program in the country that provides professionals with the skills to provide distinguished service to international and local visitors. His Excellency also highlighted the 'Tourist Guide Training' program, through which the participants were given practical and appropriate training on the basic skills to work as a tourist guide, and accredited after completing the program.
His Excellency pointed out that Qatar Tourism has issued more than 3,500 licences for Holiday Homes for about 9,500 rooms since the launch of the initiative last year, an addition to the variety of accommodation options that will be available to visitors during the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar.
His Excellency highlighted the Iconic Limousine initiative within the framework of the tourism sector development process and enhancing the visitors' experience at every stage of their visit, a competition where many talented nationals and residents sought to produce a distinctive exterior iconic limousine design, that reflects Qatari culture and hospitality in an innovative way.
His Excellency stressed that, in terms of digital transformation, Qatar Tourism launched the Visit Qatar application for mobile phones and the Visit Qatar website, which is available in seven languages (English, French, Italian, Arabic, German, Turkish and Spanish). The application allows users to explore Qatar's cultural heritage sites, sporting activities and unique attractions. It also provides 360-degree panoramic views of famous sites and landmarks, along with a feature that allows users to swipe right on a selection of the best tourist spots in Qatar.
Qatar Tourism, in cooperation with its partners, presented a rich calendar of events through its website that includes a variety of activities covering all parts of the country, and includes entertainment options, including theatrical performances, art exhibitions and sports competitions, His Excellency said.
As part of its efforts to develop tourism in the country, Al Baker said that Qatar Tourism launched the 'Qatar Now' guidebook, a new edition that reviews the tourism scene in Qatar, providing visitors with a comprehensive view of the tourist destinations. The semi-annual guide, which is available to visitors at every phase of their visit to Qatar, is distributed free of charge in hotels, museums, embassies, Hamad International Airport (HIA), and other most visited destinations.
His Excellency also highlighted the launch of Experience a World Beyond campaign in 17 countries as the largest promotional campaign in the history of the tourism sector in Qatar. The campaign represents the most important tourist markets that Qatar targets, in a bid to highlight the archaeological sites and historical monuments, in addition to the best entertainment and adventure places in the country.
His Excellency reiterated Qatar Tourism's commitment to continue improving the experience of visitors so that they can have an enjoyable and indelible experience. Qatar Tourism seeks to welcome visitors from all over the world to Qatar to enjoy the tournament and explore the unique services and experiences that Qatar offers, His Excellency concluded.
