Tag Archives: Qatar Tourism

Qatar welcomed more than 2.56 million visitors from January to 25 August 2023, surpassing the total number of visitors for the whole of 2022, marking a 157% increase in the number of international visitors compared to the same period last year. This significant increase in the number of visitors to Qatar reflects the country’s growing position as a leading tourist destination in the world, supported by the success achieved following the successful hosting of the FIFA  World Cup Qatar 2022™, which put Qatar on the international tourism map. The tourism sector has received a boost thanks to the extension of the validity of the Hayya Card to its existing holders and the relaunch of the Haya platform to become a unified visa portal for visitors coming to Qatar, as the country welcomed visitors from all over the world, with visitors from Saudi Arabia, India, Germany, the United States of America, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates and Pakistan topping the list of countries for visitors coming to Qatar. His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, President of Qatar Tourism and Group Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Airways, said: “This growth in international visitors to Qatar is the result of Qatar Tourism’s strategy to capitalise on the tourism momentum that accompanied the hosting of the world’s biggest sporting tournament late last year. Thanks to our focus on priority tourism markets, our multi-pronged approach, our tireless efforts and pioneering initiatives across the pillars of our tourism strategy, we have been able to attract visitors from all over the world and highlight the unique blend that Qatar offers to its visitors, which combines sophistication and modernity on the one hand …

Globally renowned Red Bull athlete Jaan Roose has completed the world’s longest LED-lit, single-building slackline to cross one of Qatar’s newest and most iconic architectural landmarks. The Estonian national and three-time Slackline World Champion defied the odds by achieving the walk, titled “Sparkline,” at the first attempt, walking the distance between the scimitar-shaped, Iconic Towers that are owned by Katara Hospitality and that are home to Raffles and Fairmont Doha in Lusail City. Covering a distance of over 150 meters, the Sparkline walk is not only the longest on a single building, but also Jaan’s highest urban walk to date at an elevation of more than 185 meters on a line just 2.5cm wide. Speaking on the new world record set, Roose commented: “When I first saw the Iconic Towers, I knew this was a building that I had to walk. Anything worth achieving comes with its fair share of challenges, and I’m proud to complete this one. Per metre walked, this line was my toughest ever. As an athlete, I’m always looking to push myself further and defy the odds. In this case the heat and wind conditions added a different element that I needed to react to and manage spontaneously while I was on the slackline.  The warm LED lights and their extra weight also changed how the line interacted with me and my bodyweight. It’s like skateboarding on a big heavy tree trunk rather than a light board.” “The Iconic Towers are an incredible place to be completing this feat and mark a very special visit for my first time in Qatar,” Roose added. The Raffles Doha and Fairmont Doha are two luxury hotels that face each …

Qatar Tourism and the Geneva International Motor Show (GIM) have welcomed 30 of the world’s most famous automotive brands to participate in the first edition of the Geneva International Motor Show Qatar, scheduled to take place in Doha from 5 to 14 October 2023. This is the first edition of the renowned international exhibition to be held outside his native Switzerland, hosted by Qatar in conjunction with the 2023 Formula Qatar Airways Grand Prix. This turnout from exhibitors reflects the appeal of the innovative concept and new format of the Geneva International Motor Show, which sets new standards for international motor shows and represents the natural evolution of the marketing strategies of the leading original manufacturers and suppliers of automotive equipment and components. During the show, car enthusiasts will have the opportunity to see for the first time 10 flagship new cars and models scheduled to be unveiled at the show. The exhibiting companies’ pavilions are expected to cover an area of more than 10,000 square meters within the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre. The exhibition will also dedicate five locations to provide enjoyable and enriching experiences for visitors and guests of the exhibition. Organisers of the Geneva International Motor Show will now begin allocating exhibition spaces for participating brands, following the close of registration at the end of June. The identity of the participating car brands will be revealed through the show’s social media channels in the coming weeks. Bertold Trenkel, Chief Operating Officer at Qatar Tourism, said: “Qatar is the ideal destination to host the first edition of the Geneva International Motor Show outside its home country, thanks to its many attractions such as the range of magnificent …

Qatar Tourism has released the third edition of Qatar Now, a bi-annual edition that aims to enhance the visitor experience, encourage them to explore the destination, and give them a holistic view of the destination. This edition of the Qatar Now guide is divided into two parts , each focusing on a distinct aspect of Qatar. The first section of the guideline is titled “Vibrant Traditions,” where readers are taken on a captivating journey to learnabout Through it they learn about Qatar’s ancient heritage, and explore the customs and traditions of its people. The second section of the guide, titled ‘Modern Vision’, presents a diverse mix of content on innovation, mega projects and the workforce that have contributed to the evolution of Qatari society towards modernity. On this occasion, Mr. BeerWHold Trainkel, Chief Operating Officer of Qatar Tourism, said: “The Qatar Guide now captures the depth of Qatari culture and highlights the destination’s tourism offerings to travellers from around the world. This edition of the guide is designed to reflect Qatar’s unique blend of authenticity and modernity, and highlights the innovative steps Qatar is taking to continue its progress.” The third edition of Qatar Now features a collection of inspiring stories by prominent local figures, offering a glimpse into the lives and experiences of Qataris who have made significant contributions to Qatar’s cultural and artistic scene. Prominent among these are Mr. Nasser Al-Attiyah, Qatar Tourism Brand Ambassador, Mr. Khalifa Haroun and Mr. Mubarak Al-Malik, who have left a distinctive mark on the creative scene in the country. The Qatar Guide is now an inspiration for families of young people coming to Qatar from around the world to design their trips, …

Qatar Tourism in collaboration with the renowned Spacetoon channel is preparing to host the Qatar Games Festival, which will be the first of its kind in Qatar and the largest in the region, from July 13 to August 5 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center under the theme “Adventures… Tales.. and games.”  More than 25 of the world’s leading gaming brands including Barbie, Blebby, Bloway, Cocomilon, Disney, Happy Cappy, Marvel, Fortnite and Transformers are participating in the festival. The event is part of Qatar Tourism’s ‘Summer in Qatar’ campaign, which includes diverse and lively events and activities. Over the course of its 25 days, children and families who are festival-goers will have the opportunity to meet a range of their favorite characters, participate in interactive areas such as Barbie’s Dream House and the life-size Monopoly gamepad, as well as the possibility of purchasing the latest toys offered by participating brands. Sheikha Hessa Al Thani, Head of Marketing and Planning at Qatar Tourism, said: “We are delighted to partner with one of the region’s most popular satellite channels to bring a world of fun to families this summer. When designing Qatar’s Summer Campaign programme, we made sure that it included unprecedented events and allowed families and children to enjoy a wonderful summer atmosphere in Qatar. Since the launch of our global campaign ‘Qatar More than a Feeling’ late last year, our seasonal campaigns have been very successful in developing a diverse and enjoyable calendar all year round and on all occasions.” The Qatar Games Festival offers four distinctive zones known as ‘Islands’ that satisfy the tastes of many visitors from all ages. These islands are: Fancy Land – with Disney …

Qatar Tourism is once again hosting Disney on Ice in Doha this summer in collaboration with SES Live Middle East, presenting its dazzling all-new show Disney on Ice: 100 Years of Wonders, with the highly anticipated show expected to be a great entertainment experience for families and Disney fans of all ages. The show is scheduled to take place at the Lusail Multi-Purpose Hall from 4 to 9 July 2023. The show will take its audience in Doha on a journey into the fantasy world where they will watch its inspiring heroes and characters loved for generations ski in a magical atmosphere that celebrates the spirit of adventure and the values of courage and love. With Disney’s fascinating tales, heart-wrenching characters, breathtaking skating shows and special effects that accompany them, this show will provide everyone with an immersive experience and wonderful worlds full of fun and joy. Sheikha Hessa Al Thani, Head of Marketing and Planning at Qatar Tourism, said: “Qatar Tourism is delighted to partner with SES Live. Middle East We bring Disney on Ice to its audience in Doha for its dazzling and new show ‘100 Years of Wonders’. We are confident that this exceptional offer will be a great entertainment experience for families and residents and visitors alike, and is part of a series of events and activities scheduled to take place across Doha during the summer season.” The highly anticipated show features Disney iconic characters such as Moana, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Rabunzil, The Princess and the Frog, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty. During the show, seven capable princesses as well as other beloved Disney characters such as “Frozen” and “Coco” produced at …

Qatar Tourism hosted the British Travel and Tourism Institute (BITC) Conference in Doha again two decades later. Sponsored by destination partner Qatar Tourism and Qatar Airways as official airline partner, the three-day conference was held at the Waldorf Astoria Lusail Hotel Doha, in the presence of more than 200 senior representatives of the UK travel industry including government officials and major international airlines. The conference included a series of panel discussions during which the growth prospects of Qatar’s tourism industry were reviewed, with the participation of prominent figures in the travel and tourism industry, including Gary Wilson, CEO of easyJet Holidays, and His Excellency John Wilkes, British Ambassador to Doha. Bertold Trinkel, Chief Operating Officer of Qatar Tourism, said: “Qatar Tourism is delighted to host this important conference in Doha and showcase Qatar’s key tourism offerings and benefits to some of the UK’s leading travel industry. The relationship between Qatar and the UK is gaining great importance and vitality, not only in terms of tourism, but also through the common history that unites the two countries. As we continue to participate in such travel and business events, we look forward to strengthening Qatar’s position as a leading destination for hosting global business events.” The BITTI’s member-only conference follows a series of high-profile business events hosted by Qatar Tourism since the start of the year, including the World Association of the Exhibition Industry Middle East and Africa conference in May. The UK is one of Qatar Tourism’s 15 priority markets as per its National Tourism Strategy 2030 and has always been among the top 10 countries in the list of source markets. to Qatar.

Qatar Tourism has installed an official monument on the Doha Corniche, in recognition of Doha’s landmark Arab Tourism Capital for 2023 title, which was awarded by the Arab Ministerial Council earlier this year. The monument, which reflects the official Doha Arab Tourism Capital 2023 logo, is positioned in a photogenic location on the Corniche. The design of the monument was inspired by the slogan of Doha Capital of Arab Tourism 2023, which reflects the city of Doha as a modern centre for tourism rooted in its rich cultural heritage. Since Doha received the prestigious award, Qatar’s tourism sector has welcomed an incredible start to the year. With over a million visitors in the first quarter of 2023, Qatar registered its highest ever first quarter of international arrivals. In April, Qatar Tourism announced the re-launch of the Hayya platform in its new form, inviting tourists who currently need a visa to Qatar to enjoy the country’s famously warm Arabian hospitality and diverse touristic offering. The Hayya platform unifies all visa process for tourists and business visas to Qatar.

Qatar Tourism is leading a Qatari delegation of ten partners from the hospitality sector at the thirteenth edition of the Riyadh Travel Fair, which will be held from May 22 to 24 at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Centre in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This participation follows the great success of Qatar’s tourism sector during the first quarter of this year by attracting more than one million international visitors. Visitors from Saudi Arabia topped the rankings, reaching The total number of visitors to the Kingdom was 892,000 in the first quarter of the year, most of whom came to Qatar through the Abu Samra land crossing. The 96 square metre Qatar Tourism Pavilion will highlight the tremendous development of the destination’s infrastructure and the latest developments in the hospitality sector, offering visitors to Qatar a unique blend of authentic cultural heritage, modernity and sophistication. Qatar Tourism’s participation in the exhibition reflects its interest in the travel market in Saudi Arabia, and is its second participation in tourism exhibitions held in the Kingdom this year. Mr. Omar Al Jaber, Director of Shared Services at Qatar Tourism, said: “We are delighted to participate in Riyadh Travel and promote Qatar as a world-class tourist destination located next to our Saudi brothers. The Saudi market is one of our key priority markets according to our long-term tourism strategy. We continue to receive large numbers of visitors from the Kingdom, especially on national occasions and holidays. “During our participation in the next edition of the exhibition, we aim to inform experts and leaders of the tourism industry on the magnitude of the tremendous developments taking place in the tourism sector in Qatar, in addition to …

Qatar Tourism (QT) led a delegation of government and private agencies at the 2023 Seatrade Cruise Global, the world’s annual cruise industry gathering. In addition to QT, Qatar’s pavilion included Mwani, Doha Bus, Al Tawfeeq Travel, and Qatar International Tours. The 2023 Seatrade Cruise Global took place in Fort Lauderdale from March 27-30, 2023, at the Broward County Convention Center. It gathered more than 70 industry speakers who discussed key industry trends from sustainability to technology, and over 500 exhibitors including ports and destinations, ship equipment and shipbuilding, entertainment, environment and health, hospitality, information technology, and more. During the event, Qatar Tourism participated in a panel discussion where it showcased the unique offerings of Doha as a premier cruise destination, highlighting Qatar’s rich culture and history, modern infrastructure, and family-friendly entertainment. In addition, Qatar Tourism met with several major global cruise lines on the side-lines of the event, including Ponant, Silversea, TUI, Costa, AIDA, Windstar, MSC, Swan Hellenic and NCL. Qatar Tourism also attended the ‘Meet the Itinerary Planners’ event to promote Qatar as a top cruise destination and develop partnerships that will bring more cruise passengers to the country. Maryam Saoud, Head of Tourism Product Support Section at Qatar Tourism, said: “Events of global significance like the Seatrade Cruise Global present a valuable opportunity for tourism stakeholders to engage in meetings and share knowledge with prominent industry influencers and senior cruise executives. Such gatherings also offer an excellent platform to stay informed about the latest developments within the cruise industry and allow major international cruise operators to discover Qatar’s world-class tourism infrastructure and the unique features that make it an appealing addition to their cruise programs.” With a goal …