Qatar is doubling down on its commitment to service excellence and global tourism prominence with the launch of the third Qatar Tourism Awards, in partnership with the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), a Visit Qatar official has said.

The awards, building on the success of their first two editions, are undergoing significant updates to their judging criteria and evaluation processes, according to Dr Buthaina al-Janahi, the Media Relations and Communications senior manager at Visit Qatar.

She highlighted that this evolution is a direct result of “showcasing the success of the first two editions”, which serves as “an indication of the success and the brighter future of such tourism award”.

The awards’ criteria are undergoing refinement, a process that may involve the inclusion of more panelists to provide a more in-depth understanding of specific expectations and foster a brighter future for the tourism sector, al-Janahi said.

She stressed that the collaboration with the UNWTO, which has been integral since the awards’ inception, is a cornerstone of this commitment to raising standards.

Al-Janahi also underlined the value of this partnership, saying that UNWTO’s expertise is crucial for Visit Qatar as it develops and uplifts evaluation criteria, thereby enhancing service excellence in the tourism sector.

She added that the shared objectives between Qatar Tourism and the UNWTO are clear: to firmly place Qatar on the global tourism map. This is achieved, al-Janahi noted, by continuously delivering exceptional service to guests and visitors, aligning with sustainable development goals to boost Qatar’s global presence.

Given the robust growth and development of Qatar’s tourism sector, al-Janahi expressed optimism for the upcoming edition’s participation levels. "I am very positive that demand will be higher than the second edition. There is a great demand, great interest by everyone, and everyone is eager to compete and to apply for such award."

She said these awards offer a significant benefit, fostering both individual achievement and providing a platform for entrepreneurial projects to showcase their contributions to the sector.

Al-Janahi pointed out that the continuous evolution and refinement of these awards send a powerful message to both the local tourism industry and international observers about Qatar’s unwavering dedication to excellence.

She said that Qatar Tourism remains dedicated to its commitment, striving to achieve service excellence and high quality by its 2030 target.