Qatar, star of the Middle East

26/03/2010 United Arab Emirates

Qatar Tourism Authority

Conveniently located halfway between Europe and Asia on the western coast of the Gulf, this small but dynamic country is as keen on its traditions as on new technologies and innovation

and has been experiencing a major boost in the tourism sector. Qatar is putting much emphasis on the meeting industry and the country is giving itself the means to succeed with a US$ 17 billion investment in hotels and meeting facilities on a five-year plan basis. “In 2009, Qatar welcomed 900,000 visitors, among which 90% came for business. We organised 35 exhibitions and expect to hold another 200 this year of 30,000 new hotel rooms by three years”, says Ahmed Abdullah Al Nuaimi, Chairman of Qatar Tourism Authority. In addition to various 4 and 5-star hotels such as the W Doha, the Ritz-Carlton or the Grand Hyatt Doha and more projects to come, 2 more convention centres should be launched by 2011 to reach 95,000 sqft of exhibition space along with the artificial Pearl island that will boast residential, educational and entertainment areas.

Qatar shows very positive dynamics symbolized by the collective wish of its MICE actors to raise the interest in the destination together: hotels, airlines (Qatar Airways ahead), and DMCs such as Arabian Adventure or Fal Travel Mart. On the transport front, the emirate signed a few days ago a deal with Deutsche Bahn to build a high speed railway route. The project, due to be finished by 2022, will link the international airport to downtown Doha as well as Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

For incentive-based trips, the natural potiental of Qatar offers many possibilities, managed by professional DMCs : a desert safari coupled with a meal in Bedouin style tents, a trip to the oryx farm in Al Shahania, water sports, camel tracks or golf lessons at the renowned Doha Golf Club. Without forgetting the treasures of the capital city Doha like the Museum of Islamic Art inspired by the Ibn Tulun mosque in Egypt and its ablutions fountain or the traditional National Stables.

www.qatartourism.gov.qa