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Visit Qatar signed an agreement with The Ironman Group in Doha to bring the globally recognised Ironman 70.3 triathlon series to Doha for the first time, with the inaugural race scheduled for the first quarter of 2027. The event, dubbed Visit Qatar Ironman 70.3 Doha, is expected to attract elite athletes, age-group competitors, and supporters from across the world, further strengthening Qatar’s position as a global sports destination. Visit Qatar CEO Abdulaziz Ali al-Mawlawi said: “Bringing the Ironman 70.3 series to Qatar reflects our continued ambition to position the country as a leading global hub for major international sporting events. This agreement strengthens Qatar’s growing sports tourism sector and showcases its ability to deliver world-class experiences supported by exceptional infrastructure, and an unmatched visitor offering. Together with our partners, we are committed to delivering a race that meets Qatar’s ambition, and global vision.” The triathlon will feature a swim, bike, and run, with courses designed to showcase Doha’s urban scenery and some of the country’s most iconic landmarks, organisers said. Ironman Group CEO Scott DeRue told 'Gulf Times' that Qatar stood out as a natural choice for hosting the race: “This is one of the most incredible destinations in the world for sport, with a rich history of hosting major sporting events”. He added that the event is an early-season race that is perfect for athletes getting ready for big spring and summer races because it will provide qualifying spots for the Ironman 70.3 World Championship. DeRue highlighted Doha’s distinctive appeal for athletes, citing the city’s landscape, culture, and hospitality, saying: “The beauty of the city, its culture, and how welcoming the community is were all really important factors in bringing Iroanman to Qatar. He described the announcement as the result of long-term discussions."

Visit Qatar is set to present one of the world’s most celebrated composers and pianists, Ludovico Einaudi, performing live in Doha on January 9, 2026 at the Katara Amphitheatre.Doors will open at 8pm for an evening promising an extraordinary blend of emotion, artistry, and world-class music.Known for his minimalist yet deeply evocative compositions, Ludovico Einaudi has captured global audiences with performances that seamlessly fuse classical tradition with contemporary sensibilities. His music, featured in internationally acclaimed films such as Nomadland and The Intouchables, has made him one of the most-streamed classical musicians worldwide.As Qatar continues to attract visitors from the region and around the world, the highly anticipated Ludovico Einaudi concert reflects Visit Qatar’s commitment to hosting world-renowned talent and delivering unforgettable experiences that further enhance the country’s appeal as a leading global tourism destination.This event forms part of Qatar Calendar’s activities, which provides residents and visitors with a comprehensive guide to explore a wide range of events, including concerts, festivals, and exhibitions. 

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani arrived in Kigali, on an official visit to the Republic of Rwanda. His Highness the Amir was welcomed upon arrival to Kigali International Airport by President of the Republic of Rwanda Paul Kagame. Also present to welcome His Highness the Amir was Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Olivier Nduhungirehe, Chief of Defence Staff General Mubarakh Muganga, Mayor of the City of Kigali Samuel Dusengiyumvam, Ambassador of Rwanda to Qatar Igor Marara Kayinamura, a number of senior officials, and members of Qatar's Embassy.His Highness the Amir is accompanied by an official delegation. * Qatar and Rwanda: strategic integration toward sustainable future Relations between Qatar and Rwanda have been marked by rapid growth and a strategic partnership spanning various fields.**media[384147]**Over the past years, the two nations have succeeded in building a solid foundation of cooperation in the areas of economy, investment, education, tourism, aviation, security, and anti-corruption, making Rwanda a key partner in Qatar's outreach to the African continent.The mutual visits exchanged between the leadership of both countries reflect their shared commitment to strengthening dialogue, expanding investment opportunities, and achieving sustainable development. This contributes to supporting regional stability and creating new horizons for bilateral cooperation.The visit of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani to the Rwandan capital, Kigali, to meet with President Paul Kagame comes within the framework of strengthening the close relations between the two nations and reaffirming the mutual commitment to enhancing the foundations of sustainable investment and expanding its prospects in a way that serves their common goals.

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.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani left Amman on Wednesday, following an official visit to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.HH the Amir was seen off upon departure from Marka International Airport by King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.Also present at the departure were Prime Minister Dr. Jaafar Hassan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Al Safadi, Director of the Office of HM the King Eng. Alaa Batayneh, Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply Yarub Qudah, Minister of Finance Abdulhakim Al Shibli, Chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Major General Yousef Al Hunaiti, Director of the General Intelligence Directorate Major General Ahmad Husni, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Sheikh Saud bin Nasser Al-Thani, HAmbassador of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to the State of Qatar Zaid Mufleh Al Lawzi, and a number of senior officials.His Highness the Amir was accompanied by His Ecellency Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, along with an official delegation.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani arrived on Wednesday in Amman, on an official visit to the sisterly Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. HH the Amir was welcomed upon arrival at Marka International Airport by King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.Also, present were Prime Minister Dr. Jaafar Hassan, Speaker of the House of Representatives Ahmed Al Safadi, President of the Judicial Council Mahmoud Ababneh, President of the Constitutional Court Mohammad Ghazou, Royal Court Chief Yousef Issawi, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Al Safadi, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Jordan Sheikh Saud bin Nasser Al-Thani and Ambassador of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to Qatar Zaid Mufleh Al Lawzi, along with a number of Their Excellencies members of the government, ranking civilian and military officials, and members of the Qatari Embassy.HH the Amir was accorded an official reception ceremony upon his arrival.His Highness the Amir is accompanied by the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani and an official delegation.Four F-16 fighter jets from the Royal Jordanian Air Force escorted HH the Amir's plane as it entered Jordanian airspace, and artillery fired 21 rounds to welcome His Highness' visit.

President Paul Kagame of the Republic of Rwanda left Doha today, after a working visit to the country.President Paul Kagame and the accompanying delegation were seen off at Doha International Airport by His Excellency Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi and Ambassador of the Republic of Rwanda to the State Igor Marara Kayinamura.