Minister of Commerce and Industry H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al Abdullah Al Thani inaugurating the Qatar Travel Mart (QTM) 2021, at DECC, yesterday. Also seen is Chairman of Qatar Tourism and Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, H E Akbar Al Baker. Pic: Abdul Basit / The Peninsula
Doha: Aiming to become a world-leading tourism destination, Qatar is targeting to attract over six million international visitors a year by 2030. The country also aims to increase the contribution to the national economy to 12 percent, said Chairman of Qatar Tourism and Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, H E Akbar Al Baker addressing Qatar Travel Mart (QTM) 2021, yesterday.
“Tourism has immense potential to create a real positive impact across all these pillars, creating new jobs, growing GDP and diversifying our economy. By 2030, we aim to attract over six million international visitors a year; to increase travel and tourism’s contribution to GDP to 12 percent, and to double employment in the sector,” said Al Baker, speaking during the opening ceremony of QTM 2021.
The Chairman of Qatar Tourism said that Qatar has the all the elements and the assets to be a world-leading tourism destination.
“Our ambition is bold. But we know we are equipped with so many unique assets and experiences, and we have the foundations in place to achieve it. From spectacular city skylines, to our burgeoning arts and culinary scene, and stunning desert landscapes, we have all the ingredients to become a world-leading tourism destination,” Al Baker said.
Tourism and travel are a crucial component of Qatar’s future and its economy. The Qatar National Vision 2030 sets out a roadmap for to become an advanced society capable of maintaining a high standard of living for our people.
He said that even during the challenging times Qatar has taken several efforts and made immense progress in the field of tourism, art and culture.
“Even through challenging times, we have made tremendous progress over recent years. Our Msheireb Design District is quickly becoming a regional hub of art, sustainability and creativity. Unmissable are the new FIFA World Cup football stadiums, whose innovative designs dominate the skylines,” he said.
The award-winning Qatar Airways is now the largest long haul international airline in the world – and Qatar has the world’s best airport, Hamad International Airport, he added.
“And while all these new developments bring so much to Qatar, there always remains the timeless beauty of the desert and the dunes and the Inland Sea,” said Al Baker. “While borders were closed, we worked round the clock to prepare all our attractions so they can be experienced in comfort and safety,” he added.
The ‘Qatar Clean’ programme – a key initiative by Qatar Tourism and the Ministry of Public Health – has been ensuring world-leading health and hygiene standards by certifying hotels and key tourism locations.
“As we approach the one-year countdown to the FIFA World Cup 2022 this Sunday, the spotlight is on all of us. We want to show the world the hidden gem that is Qatar,” he said.
