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Visit Qatar has won six awards, including two Gold, at the 2025 SMARTIES Saudi Arabia Awards, organised by the Mobile Marketing Association (MMA) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The organisation received Gold Awards in the categories of Innovative Use of AI in Advertising and Personalisation, alongside three Silver Awards for AI-Powered Audience Engagement, AI-Driven Creative Excellence, and Customer Experience and UX Design. Reinforcing its position as an industry pioneer, Visit Qatar also received the Best Use of AI in Marketing Award. This achievement follows the success of Visit Qatar's recent digital campaigns, including "Qatar Goes WILD! 5M Visitors, No Brakes!" aimed at adventure-driven audiences, and "5M Visitors Qatar Just CHANGED THE GAME!" which celebrated record visitor numbers. Supported by an advanced digital ecosystem featuring a hyper-personalisation messaging engine, real-time dynamic creative optimisation, and extensive big data analytics, these campaigns delivered relevant and engaging travel experiences tailored to audience interests and behaviours The award-winning campaigns were delivered in collaboration with strategic partners Mindshare Qatar and Smartifai, who contributed to the development of AI-powered marketing solutions based on big data insights and real-time audience engagement, enhancing campaign performance and impact across global markets.

Lusail International Circuit (LIC) is thrilled to announce that Algerian music legend Cheb Khaled, in collaboration with Visit Qatar, will take the stage on Saturday, 29 November 2025, for an unforgettable live performance at the Lusail Live Stage (concert area) during the Formula 1 Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix 2025. Fans can expect a night full of the legendary rhythms of raï, combining world class live music with the excitement of Formula 1 racing. Known as the “King of Raï,” Cheb Khaled (Khaled Hadj Ibrahim) was born in Oran, Algeria in 1960. At the age of 14, he formed the Cinq Étoiles (Five Stars) band and began performing at various events. Khaled rose to international fame with his 1993 hit “Didi,” which topped charts across Arabic speaking audiences as well as in Europe and Asia. Over his career, he has sold more than 80.5mn albums worldwide, receiving numerous awards, and has become one of the best selling Arabic language artists. His music transcends borders, with performances on stages such as The Tonight Show in 1993, and highlights including the opening ceremony of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Elle a dû quitter l’école une heure plus tôt pour un rendez-vous chez le médecin.Africa. His songs convey messages of love, tolerance, and peace, earning him fans across generations and continents. Fans attending the Formula 1 Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix can enjoy Cheb Khaled live on Saturday night with single day Saturday tickets available starting at QR500 for General Admission. Three Day Grandstand tickets are also available but limited only to the Turn 3 Grandstand (QR1,000; student price QR800). Access to Cheb Khaled’s performance is included with all ticket types. Hospitality packages offering premium viewing experiences are also available. Tickets are selling fast for Qatar’s premier motorsport and entertainment event. Fans can secure their place by visiting tickets.lcsc.qa.

Visit Qatar is set to participate in the World Travel Market (WTM) 2025, from Nov 4–6 at ExCeL London, leading a delegation of 48 partners, including hotels, resorts, and destination management companies.As one of the world’s leading global travel and tourism exhibitions, WTM serves as a strategic platform to spotlight Qatar’s diverse tourism offering, strengthen partnerships, and attract new business and investment opportunities in line with the country’s national tourism strategy.Visit Qatar will present the country’s expanding tourism ecosystem within the dedicated Qatar Pavilion, located at Stand S8-210.The Qatar Pavilion will feature a two-level design covering 700sq m with an additional 150sq m mezzanine, offering engaging spaces for networking and business meetings.The stand will immerse visitors in Qatar’s rich culture and modern experiences through a series of creative activations and showcases.Highlights include a range of engaging and interactive activations including a dedicated cultural zone featuring live demonstrations of calligraphy, Kohl and perfume making, offering visitors an authentic glimpse into Qatari traditions and craftsmanship. Guests will also enjoy a taste of Qatari hospitality through the Qinwan coffee and dates experience.To further enhance visitor engagement, a special 4D immersive activation will bring Meryal Waterpark to life through multi-sensory visual, audio, and water effects, providing an exhilarating preview of one of Qatar’s newest attractions. In addition, a dedicated Qatar Calendar showcase will offer insights into the country’s upcoming events, festivals, and cultural celebrations throughout the year.

Through Taste of Qatar, the nation’s culinary stories are being recognised, celebrated, and shared with the world, a Visit Qatar statement said Saturday. Taste of Qatar, launched by Qatar Tourism following the debut of the Michelin Guide Doha 2025 and developed in collaboration with the global research firm Ipsos, is the nation’s official restaurant rating programme. For diners, spotting the Taste of Qatar plaque at an entrance is a promise that every detail has been perfected, every plate prepared with care, and every guest welcomed with the warmth and hospitality Qatar is known for. Earning a Taste of Qatar certification is a journey of dedication. Restaurants, cafes, and local dining concepts are awarded a 1–3 star rating, with the coveted 3-star status reserved for those who consistently achieve a 90% or above rating in multiple inspections throughout the year. These inspections capture the essence of an outlet’s service, quality, and hospitality. Mystery dining visits ensure that every experience is authentic, while aggregate scores reflect a commitment to excellence over time. To be considered, outlets must first, register and remain active on the programme’s official portal, pass the Ministry of Public Health’s Watheq inspection and demonstrate consistent quality across food, service, and ambiance. Every year, 3-star certified outlets will be honoured at the Taste of Qatar Certification Ceremony. The celebration brings together chefs, owners, to recognise their achievements, receive their official plaque.

Visit Qatar successfully concluded its 2025 International Representation Offices meeting, held in Doha from Oct 13-15. The three-day event gathered 32 senior representatives from Visit Qatar’s 11 international offices, alongside departmental directors, and members of the International Markets Management team, Qatar Tourism said in a statement Wednesday. The meeting served as a platform to review performances, share market insights, and align strategies for 2026, reinforcing Visit Qatar's vision of unified global representation. It provided an opportunity for open dialogue between Visit Qatar and international offices spanning China, India, Russia, Iran, KSA, Germany, Italy, France, Spain, the UK, and the CIS, with the newly appointed USA office participating for the first time. The agenda featured departmental presentations, strategy sessions, and panel discussions led by the International Markets team, with contributions from Visit Qatar's Marketing, Festivals and Events, Partnerships, and PR and Communications departments. The event concluded with an open networking session connecting international representatives with local stakeholders to strengthen collaboration and explore new business opportunities. The International Representation Offices meeting is a cornerstone of Visit Qatar's global engagement strategy. It was launched in 2024 to enhance coordination, strengthen brand consistency, and identify new market opportunities. (QNA)

Visit Qatar signed a multi-year entertainment partnership with MELT Live, the global events company chaired by entertainment icon Steve Harvey, aimed at establishing the country as a premier hub for culture, lifestyle, and world-class events.The collaboration, sealed in Doha Wednesday, will introduce internationally recognised platforms to Qatar, with two flagship events set to debut in 2026.The signing ceremony was led by Qatar Tourism chair and chair of the Board of Directors of Visit Qatar HE Saad bin Ali al-Kharji and MELT Live Events chairman Steve Harvey.FuelFest Qatar, a high-energy festival that merges international car culture with live music, is designed to unite automotive enthusiasts and feature global talent; while the Golf Classic by Steve Harvey is a unique lifestyle and sporting event blending competitive golf, top-tier entertainment, and celebrity participation, intended to provide a major platform for global exposure.Al-Kharji highlighted the strategic importance of the collaboration, saying: “This strategic collaboration with MELT Live reflects our ambition to strengthen Qatar’s position as a global destination for major cultural and lifestyle events.“By introducing distinctive international platforms such as FuelFest and the Golf Classic, we are diversifying Qatar’s events calendar, creating new opportunities for engagement, and showcasing the country’s commitment to delivering world-class experiences that resonate with audiences worldwide.”Speaking at the announcement, Harvey underlined the foundational philosophy of his company and his attraction to the region, noting that “MELT is an acronym: M stands for the merging of cultures and ideas; E is for the enlightenment and empowerment of people; L is for learning and leadership; T is for trade and technology”.He said the launch of MELT Live in the Gulf region was motivated by the desire to merge global ideas and address misconceptions about the Middle East.“The appeal was to come here and to open up other people’s eyes about the Middle East to try to get rid of some of the misconceptions here,” Harvey said, highlighting Qatar’s unique characteristics.“I've never been anywhere where there’s complete peace... The whole thing about MELT was the merging of cultures and ideas because we have more similarities as people than we do differences,” he added.Harvey said the initial events are designed to introduce high-profile business and celebrity figures to the region. He noted that FuelFest, which originated as a spin-off from the Fast & Furious film franchise, draws large international audiences and significant automotive presence.“The future looks so bright, we could do so many things because of the willingness of Qatar, just the openness that they have towards us. It’s an honour to be in Qatar to witness this exciting new chapter with Visit Qatar and MELT Live. These events are about more than entertainment – they’re about building connections, celebrating culture, and creating unforgettable experiences,” he added.According to Visit Qatar, this landmark agreement marks the beginning of a long-term collaboration and underscores its commitment to expanding the nation’s events portfolio, creating opportunities for cultural exchange, and attracting global audiences to experience Qatar’s unique blend of hospitality and world-class entertainment.A diverse calendar of additional events is currently being planned by MELT Live and Visit Qatar, with more information expected to be announced in the coming months.

Visit Qatar held two dialogue sessions in Mumbai recently, engaging the country’s leading tour operators and wedding planners.This is part of Visit Qatar’s growing economic and industry partnerships with India, one of the organisation’s priority growth markets, a statement said.During the interactive sessions, Visit Qatar chief executive engineer Abdulaziz Ali al-Mawlawi spoke alongside a number of representatives who highlighted key upcoming initiatives and potential opportunities for further collaboration between the two countries and attract more travellers and event organisers to Qatar.Through presentations, interactive question and answer sessions, recognition ceremonies, and networking, the events showcased Qatar’s world-class hospitality, seamless connectivity, and diverse offerings, reinforcing its position as the luxury destination of choice for Indian travellers and wedding celebrations, the statement added.