The Qatar delegation at the World Travel Market in London.
DOHA: Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) has concluded its participation at the World Travel Market (WTM) which took place at the ExCel Exhibition Centre in London last week.
The event attracted more than 48,000 senior travel professionals, government officials and international media.
QTA focused on holding buyer meetings and interacting with counterparts in the UK and European tourism industry to increase interest in Qatar as a destination for business and leisure travel, as well as conducting interviews with British and international media to promote the destination.
QTA Chairman, Issa bin Mohammed Al Mohannadi said, “The large number of participants at the WTM this year is testament to the importance and significance of this trade show. Qatar was well positioned at the event, with a range of industry stakeholders showcasing the unique proposition that Qatar offers to business and leisure travellers alike.”
QTA showcased Qatar’s credentials as a leading destination in the Gulf region for business and leisure travel with quality hotels, world-class conference centres and unique cultural activities. At the stand, visitors were able to see and experience some of characteristic elements of Qatar, including artisans making Qatari arts and crafts, henna tattooing and falcons.
The Qatari stand was led by QTA and included representation by the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage, Katara, Qatar UK 2013, Qatar Museums Authority, Qatar Airways, Katara Hospitality and The Diplomatic Club, in addition to a range of tour operators and hotels: Century Hotel Doha, Intercontinental Doha The City, Retaj Hotels and Hospitality, Inter-Continental Doha, Grand Hyatt Doha Hotel, Crown Plaza Doha The Business Park, Best Western Hotel Doha, Wyndham Grand Regency Hotel Doha, Doha Marriot Hotel, The Ritz-Carlton Doha, Sheraton Doha Resort and Convention Centre, Sharq Village and Spa, Sealine Beach Resort, Four Communications, Qatar International Adventures and Regency Travel and Tours.
“We thank all our partners for joining us in the Qatar pavilion at WTM. This important collaborative work aligns with QTA’s efforts to boost business and leisure tourism as a sector of Qatar’s diversified economy,” added Al Mohannadi.
At this year’s WTM, QTA focused on the theme of timeless experiences: culture, wonder, luxury, elegance, flavour and history. The theme showcased Qatar’s rich culture across centuries, from pearl divers in the first millennium BC to today’s cosmopolitan hub of the Middle East. Visitors to the stand discovered all that visitors can explore, from Arabian legends, golden sands and architectural masterpieces of the past, present and future, to the authentic experiences, comfort and recreation activities available in Qatar today.
During WTM, QTA held a contest at its stand where visitors who came to discover the timeless culture of the destination could enter for a chance to win pearl earrings, tickets to the Victoria & Albert and Qatar Museums Authority exhibition “Pearls” and a holiday to Qatar. QTA also organized several opportunities to brief the British and international media, including breakfast at the V&A Museum, and lunch held for media and trade representatives on the stand at ExCel convention centre.
The Peninsula
