Chairman of QTA, Issa bin Mohammed Al Mohannadi
DOHA: Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) yesterday announced the official opening of its French representative office, its second representative office in Europe, and the first in Continental Europe. QTA has selected Interface Tourism to operate the office.
The representative office opening is a step forward toward expanding the footprint of QTA in promoting the destination in key markets around the world.
Through its promotional activities, the QTA representative office will reveal to the French public the rich cultural heritage of the country, its traditions, museums, natural attractions, hotels and reception facilities for MICE tourism as well as leisure in the fields of sport, health and education.
Commenting on the opening of the French office, Issa bin Mohammed Al Mohannadi, Chairman of QTA, said: “European markets, and France in particular, represent a key opportunity for developing tourism in Qatar. With the opening of this representative office, we are confident that this will help promote Qatar as a destination that offers a unique experience for those who are looking for authentic culture true to its identity. The representative office in Paris will work towards implementing programmes which attract the French traveller, and present the distinguishing features of Qatar as a tourist destination.”
Qatar experienced a strong 18 percent increase in tourism from Europe in 2012 over 2011. In the second quarter of 2013, international arrivals to Qatar showed a 6.6 percent increase across business and tourist segments.
As recently as June 2013, Doha saw hotel occupancy rates rise by nearly 27 percent, posting the largest increase of any country in the Middle East and Africa. The Peninsula
