Set to run until November 18 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC), the event represents a boost for Qatar Tourism, a key priority for the country’s economy, and the revival of the sector after the pandemic in the build-up of international interest in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, said Rawad Sleem, co-founder and general manager of NeXTfairs.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was also attended by Qatar Tourism chairman and Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, HE Akbar al-Baker; Sleem; Al Hattab Holding vice chairman Abdulaziz Saad al-Kaabi, and Andrew Humphries, acting CEO of Katara Hospitality.
Sleem said, “Our first Qatar Travel Mart is a triumph for all in our industry from new countries, new sponsors, and prominent VIPs attending the event. QTM is launching at a time when Qatar Tourism marketing is undergoing significant transformation. With the launch of a comprehensive campaign across 17 countries, Qatar will propel into the spotlight for many years to come.
“There is no doubt that Qatar's tourism sector has a bright future with a plan to increase the tourism GDP contribution from 6% to 12% by 2030, and it will take a lot of effort to provide an excellent level of service to fulfill that mandate. QTM is very much part of that effort.”
The QTM inauguration was followed by a keynote speech of al-Baker, who spoke about ‘The Importance of Tourism for the Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Developments and Remarks in Qatar’, followed by a speech from Qatar Museums CEO Ahmad Musa al-Namla.
QTM’s high-profile three-day conference covered topics, such as ‘What the Future Holds for Travel and Tourism’ and a CEO panel discussion focusing on ‘Behavioral Changes of Consumers and Hiring and Retention of Employees in the Travel, Tourism and Hospitality Industry’.
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A line up of high-profile travel and tourism experts from around the world speaking at the event included Nigel Fell, president & CEO of World Tourism Association for Culture and Heritage (WTACH); Philippe Francois, president of the World Association for Hospitality and Tourism Education and Training (AMFORHT); Dr Cristina Ortega Nuere, Chief Scientific and COO of the World Leisure Organisation; Florian Sengstschmid, CEO of Azerbaijan Tourism Board; Emad Abu Jalala, CEO Gulf Adventures; Dr Ivan Ninov, executive dean of Al Rayyan International University College (ARIU); Sergey Sukhanov, CEO of Corporation Tourism, RF, JSC; Nuno Anahory, chairman of Forum Portugal Qatar; Dr Hussain Sunny Umar, managing director of Maldives Halal Travel Guide; and Nick Wilkinson, regional vice president of the Norwegian Cruise Line, in addition to other keynote speakers.
The event featured a ‘Hosted Buyers’ Programme’, involving influential buyers from 15 countries, including England, Germany, Russia, France, Malaysia, Turkey, Sweden, Denmark, and the US to network with exhibitors and close profitable deals.
QTM was also attended by more than 70 prominent VIPs, including representatives from Qatar Tourism and Qatar Airways Group, Discover Qatar & Qatar Holidays, Katara Hospitality, Qatar Aviation Authority, Qatar Free Zone Authority, and Public Works Authority (Ashghal), as well as 18 ambassadors and representatives from Germany, Tanzania, Spain, South Korea, Egypt, Mexico, Tajikistan, Thailand, Japan, Dominican Republic, Republic of Haiti, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Italy, India, Indonesia, Rwanda, and Azerbaijan.
