Qatar Museums (QM) Chairperson Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani has announced the establishment of the Qatar Fashion and Crafts Council as Qatar steps up efforts to strengthen its creative industries and attract investment in culture, fashion and design.Delivering a keynote address at the ongoing World Investment Forum 2026 (WIF 2026), HE Sheikha Al Mayassa said that the new initiative aims to connect local talent with global markets, spearheaded by Creative Hubs and supported by joint efforts from the public and private sectors.“It is a joint effort between the public and private sectors,” she said. “This will be an advisory council contributing to the strategic orientation of both sectors, enhancing investment partnerships, and opening new horizons for talents in Qatar and the region to reach global markets.”HE the QM Chairperson said that Qatar had spent more than two decades developing a comprehensive cultural ecosystem spanning cinema, theatre, fashion, design, digital production and live arts.She pointed to the country's fashion and design sectors as examples of how traditional heritage can be combined with contemporary creativity to produce distinctive work capable of competing in international markets.“Initiatives and institutions such as Fire Station, Fashion Trust Arabia and M7 have played a role in supporting emerging talent by providing platforms for guidance, professional development and creative collaboration,” HE Sheikha Al Mayassa noted.These programmes, she said, support nearly 200 designers and artists annually, helping Qatari and regional creators showcase their work internationally and expand their presence in global markets.She noted that museums worldwide now exhibit works by homegrown artists from Qatar and the region, while designs by Qatari and Arab creatives have reached international markets.HE Sheikha Al Mayassa also highlighted the cultural sector's economic contribution, saying that the QM supports nearly 7,000 full-time jobs.She added that data from Qatar University indicates 40% of students are interested in pursuing careers in creative businesses."These figures demonstrate the potential of creative industries to generate employment, encourage entrepreneurship and attract investment,” she highlighted.“In the age of AI, creative skills and the capacity for innovation are increasingly important for future jobs,” HE Sheikha Al Mayassa said. “However, talent alone cannot build a sustainable economy; creators need support, guidance, production, and distribution, which requires the integration of cultural institutions with the private sector.”Speaking at a panel discussion at the WIF 2026 on "Investing in Art and Civilisation", she noted that Qatar possesses the necessary assets to lead the creative industries, including high-end infrastructure and museums that inspire generations, foster creativity, and open up opportunities for learning and engagement with the world, alongside the nation's wealth of creative professionals and promising talent."It has been five decades since Qatar opened its first national museum, but really in the last 25 years perhaps, there has been a big shift from culture becoming an investment to culture becoming a necessity in human development,” HE Sheikha Al Mayassa stated. “And, the results speak for themselves."She underscored that there has been significant investment in cultural infrastructure, collections, and architecture over the years.“I would say, the next 10 years, I will be focusing on creative house and the talent incubation in order to really build the creative economy and create resilience to AI and the technology that goes with that,” HE Sheikha Al Mayassa said.“We contribute about QR3.6bn a year to the local economy,” she continued. “We also create lots of jobs. So we look at cultural infrastructure as the hardware and the software are the people that we are very much invested in.”Sheikha Al Mayassa added that, in the age of artificial intelligence (AI), creative skills and the ability to innovate are becoming increasingly significant for the jobs of the future.

Germany is seeking to attract more travellers from Qatar and the wider Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) by promoting its autumn landscapes, luxury hospitality, medical and wellness tourism, and experiences beyond its major cities. Yamina Sofo, director of the Marketing & Sales Office of the German National Tourist Office (GNTO) in the GCC, said the country offers a combination of nature, culture, shopping and relaxation that appeals to visitors looking for alternatives to traditional summer holidays. **media[508634]** “Autumn is a wonderful time to discover Germany, particularly for travellers from the GCC who enjoy cooler weather, beautiful landscapes and experiences that combine outdoor activities with culture and relaxation,” Sofo told Gulf Times. From September to November, Germany’s forests take on shades of gold, orange and red, while historic towns and rural landscapes provide opportunities for scenic walks, cycling and nature excursions. The season also brings regional food festivals, markets and fresh local produce. Sofo encouraged GCC visitors to explore destinations beyond the country’s main cities, including the Black Forest, the Moselle and Rhine valleys, Hainich National Park in Thuringia, and the Bavarian Alps.The autumn season, she said, allows visitors to combine sightseeing, shopping and cultural attractions with trips to the countryside, lakes and wellness retreats. Germany is also seeking to expand its appeal among high-end travellers from Qatar and the wider GCC. According to Sofo, the country’s luxury tourism offering extends beyond five-star accommodation and designer shopping to include private cultural tours, historic castle hotels, exclusive automotive experiences and wellness retreats. Munich, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg and Berlin offer luxury hotels, designer boutiques, fine dining and premium services, while Baden-Baden and the Bavarian Alps provide opportunities for spa breaks and wellness holidays. “Luxury today is increasingly about personal attention, privacy, quality and memorable experiences, and Germany offers many ways to bring these elements together,” she said.Medical tourism remains another important segment, with Germany attracting visitors seeking specialised healthcare, diagnostics, complex medical treatments, rehabilitation and preventive health services.Many hospitals and specialist clinics provide international patient services to help visitors with appointments, language support and treatment arrangements. The country also has a long-established tradition of therapeutic and wellness travel, with more than 350 officially recognised health resorts and spa towns. Destinations such as Baden-Baden, Bad Wörishofen and Wiesbaden offer thermal treatments, rehabilitation programmes and other health-related services.For GCC visitors, Sofo said, Germany offers opportunities to combine medical care and recovery with stays in comfortable and peaceful surroundings. **media[508636]** Catering to GCC travellers Addressing the needs of Muslim visitors is also part of Germany’s efforts to strengthen its appeal in the Gulf.Sofo said major cities offer a variety of halal dining options, international cuisines and Middle Eastern restaurants. Prayer facilities are available at locations including major airports and some shopping centres, while mosques can be found across the country. Accommodation options range from spacious hotel suites and serviced apartments to holiday homes and private villas, providing flexibility for families and visitors seeking greater privacy.GNTO has also developed the Germany Halal Travel Guide in English and Arabic, offering practical information on halal-friendly restaurants, prayer facilities, accommodation and attractions.“Clear information makes a real difference when planning a holiday,” Sofo said, adding that the aim is to help travellers from the region feel informed and comfortable when exploring Germany.The country’s combination of urban attractions and natural landscapes is another selling point for families and multi-generational groups. Visitors can combine museums, shopping and cultural activities in cities such as Munich with excursions to Bavarian lakes, castles and Alpine landscapes. Germany’s transport network also allows travellers to combine different destinations within one itinerary, while theme parks, interactive museums, wildlife parks and outdoor activities provide options for families with children. Changing travel preferences Sofo said GCC travellers are becoming more experienced and increasingly interested in discovering destinations beyond traditional sightseeing routes.Shopping, summer holidays, medical travel and major city experiences remain important motivations, but there is also growing interest in smaller destinations, nature-based holidays, local culture and more personalised experiences. Flexibility and convenience have become particularly relevant amid regional developments affecting air travel in 2026, she said, with travellers seeking reassurance, flexible bookings and reliable travel information.Younger travellers, particularly Generation Z, are also influencing how destinations are discovered, with social media, short-form videos and content creators playing an increasingly important role.Their interests extend to contemporary culture, creative neighbourhoods, local food and music, prompting destination marketers to adapt their communication to different generations. Campaigns to broaden Germany’s appeal GNTO’s marketing priorities for 2026 and 2027 include strengthening Germany’s visibility across the GCC and working with airline, travel trade and media partners to reach potential visitors.Sofo said its campaigns are designed to highlight different aspects of the destination and encourage travellers to explore beyond familiar attractions.“Next Stop: Travel Destination Germany” focuses on cities and contemporary urban culture, including smaller towns. The Culinary Germany campaign promotes regional food traditions and gastronomy, while “Feel Good, Experiences That Last” highlights experiences ranging from natural landscapes to vibrant cities.The “Family & Friends in Nature” campaign encourages visitors to explore Germany’s outdoor activities and scenic surroundings. Seasonal promotions also showcase the country’s traditional Christmas markets and winter experiences. Digital campaigns and creator collaborations are particularly important in reaching younger audiences, Sofo said, while the broader strategy aims to encourage visitors to stay longer, return more frequently and discover additional regions. Although summer remains a key travel season for GCC families seeking milder temperatures during school holidays, GNTO sees opportunities to encourage more visits throughout the year.Spring offers gardens and blossoming landscapes, summer brings lakes and festivals, autumn features colourful scenery and seasonal gastronomy, while winter provides festive markets, winter sports and mountain retreats.“By encouraging more seasonal travel, we can also support longer-term demand and introduce visitors to a wider range of German destinations,” Sofo said. Qatar a valued market Sofo described Qatar as a valued source market for German tourism, pointing to the wider relationship between the two countries in tourism, business, culture and education. Air connectivity also plays an important role in facilitating travel.She said Germany’s luxury hospitality, shopping, family attractions, medical and wellness services, cultural offerings and natural landscapes aligned with a range of interests among Qatari travellers.GNTO’s engagement with Qatar includes cooperation with travel trade partners, airlines and regional media, alongside digital campaigns targeting different visitor segments.The organisation also wants to encourage repeat visitors to discover lesser-known regions and new experiences beyond the major cities.“Our ambition is to build on the strong relationship that already exists and encourage more travellers from Qatar to discover Germany in new ways, across different regions and throughout the year,” Sofo concluded.

King Felipe VI of Spain has awarded His Excellency Abdullah bin Ibrahim Al Hamar, Qatar's former ambassador to Spain, the Order of Civil Merit in recognition of his diplomatic efforts to strengthen bilateral relations between the State of Qatar and the Kingdom of Spain during his tenure from 2019 to 2024.HE Ambassador Al Hamar, currently Qatar's Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany, received the prestigious decoration from Pascual Navarro Rios, Spain's Ambassador to Germany, at a ceremony held in Berlin.This distinction recognizes HE Al Hamar's diplomatic initiatives during his tenure, which fostered greater engagement between the two friendly nations and solidified the foundations of their cooperation, reflecting their shared commitment to further developing bilateral relations.The award underscores Qatar's efforts to strengthen relations with friendly countries and enhance its international presence through robust partnerships rooted in mutual trust and respect, as well as expanding cooperation across various fields to serve common interests and foster closer bonds between their peoples.