Tribune News Network
Doha
Held under the patronage of the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior HE Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, the first edition of Qatar Travel Mart (QTM) 2021 was inaugurated by Minister of Commerce and Industry HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al Abdullah Al Thani at the Doha Exhibition Convention Center (DECC) in Doha on Tuesday.
Organised by NeXTfairs Exhibitions and Conferences, the Qatar Travel Mart (QTM) 2021 opened with a top-level opening ceremony. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was also attended by Qatar Tourism Chairman and Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker, NeXTfairs Co-Founder and General Manager Rawad Sleem, Al Hattab Holding Vice Chairman Abdulaziz Saad Al Kaabi and Katara Hospitality Acting Chief Executive Officer Andrew Humphries.
Attended by more than 70 prominent VIPS including representatives of Qatar Tourism and Qatar Airways Group, Discover Qatar & Qatar Holidays, Katara Hospitality, Qatar Aviation Authority, Qatar Free Zone Authority and Ashghal as well as ambassadors of several countries and representatives from Germany, Tanzania, Spain, Korea, Egypt, Mexico, Tajikistan, Thailand, Japan, Dominican Republic, Republic of Haiti, Srilanka, Switzerland, Italy, India, Indonesia, Rwanda, Azerbaijan.
Representatives of Qatar Aeronautical Academy, Marriott International, AMFORHT, AlFardan Group, and Abuissa Group also attended the function.
After the inauguration ceremony, the minister toured the exhibition to see the various pavilions, services, and investment opportunities offered by the participating companies and entities.
The minister also cut a cake at Katara Hospitality’s stand straight after the ribbon cutting.
Speaking on the occasion, Sleem said, "Our first Qatar Travel Mart is a triumph for all in our industry from new countries, new sponsors, and prominent VIPs in attendance. We are especially pleased to see the conference agenda featuring such high-profile names and proud to have attracted a total of 150 exhibitors from 34 countries. QTM 2021 represents a boost for Qatar Tourism, a key priority for Qatar’s economy, and the revival of the sector after the pandemic in the build-up of international interest in FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 next year.”
He said, "There is no doubt that Qatar’s tourism sector has a bright future with a plan to increase the tourism GDP contribution from 6 percent to 12 percent by 2030, and it will take a lot of effort to provide an excellent level of service to fulfil that mandate. QTM is very much part of that effort.”
The event’s high-profile three-day conference covers topics such as what the future holds for travel and tourism and a CEO Panel Discussion focusing on Behavioral Changes of Consumers and Hiring and retention of Employees in the Travel, Tourism and Hospitality Industry.
The event also features a Hosted Buyers’ Program, involving influential buyers from 15 countries
including England, Germany, Russia, France, Malaysia, Turkey, Sweden, Denmark and the USA to network with exhibitors and close profitable deals.
A three-day media familiarisation trip for international media was organised to showcase the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 next year stadiums and many of Qatar’s famous cultural sites and attractions, as well as to experience Qatar’s impressive hospitality landmarks.
The international media partners are truly cosmopolitan and come from India, Malaysia, the UK, China, Dubai, Canada and Russia.
The three-day event has attracted the full support of numerous industry sponsors and partners. Founding Partner is Katara Hospitality, Qatar Tourism the Strategic Partner, Qatar Airways Holidays the Founding Leisure Partner, along with Discover Qatar.
The Supreme Committee is the founding sports partner, Qatar Airways the Official Airline and Mowasalat the Official Transport Partner. Amadeus is the event’s Technology Partner, Retaj Hotels and Hospitality is the Gold Sponsor and Gulf Adventures and Elite Motors are Silver Sponsors.
Association Partners include The World Association for Hospitality and Tourism Education and Training (AMFORHT), World Leisure Organisation (WLO), and World Tourism Association for Culture and Heritage (WTACH).
Doha
Held under the patronage of the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior HE Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, the first edition of Qatar Travel Mart (QTM) 2021 was inaugurated by Minister of Commerce and Industry HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al Abdullah Al Thani at the Doha Exhibition Convention Center (DECC) in Doha on Tuesday.
Organised by NeXTfairs Exhibitions and Conferences, the Qatar Travel Mart (QTM) 2021 opened with a top-level opening ceremony. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was also attended by Qatar Tourism Chairman and Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker, NeXTfairs Co-Founder and General Manager Rawad Sleem, Al Hattab Holding Vice Chairman Abdulaziz Saad Al Kaabi and Katara Hospitality Acting Chief Executive Officer Andrew Humphries.
Attended by more than 70 prominent VIPS including representatives of Qatar Tourism and Qatar Airways Group, Discover Qatar & Qatar Holidays, Katara Hospitality, Qatar Aviation Authority, Qatar Free Zone Authority and Ashghal as well as ambassadors of several countries and representatives from Germany, Tanzania, Spain, Korea, Egypt, Mexico, Tajikistan, Thailand, Japan, Dominican Republic, Republic of Haiti, Srilanka, Switzerland, Italy, India, Indonesia, Rwanda, Azerbaijan.
Representatives of Qatar Aeronautical Academy, Marriott International, AMFORHT, AlFardan Group, and Abuissa Group also attended the function.
After the inauguration ceremony, the minister toured the exhibition to see the various pavilions, services, and investment opportunities offered by the participating companies and entities.
The minister also cut a cake at Katara Hospitality’s stand straight after the ribbon cutting.
Speaking on the occasion, Sleem said, "Our first Qatar Travel Mart is a triumph for all in our industry from new countries, new sponsors, and prominent VIPs in attendance. We are especially pleased to see the conference agenda featuring such high-profile names and proud to have attracted a total of 150 exhibitors from 34 countries. QTM 2021 represents a boost for Qatar Tourism, a key priority for Qatar’s economy, and the revival of the sector after the pandemic in the build-up of international interest in FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 next year.”
He said, "There is no doubt that Qatar’s tourism sector has a bright future with a plan to increase the tourism GDP contribution from 6 percent to 12 percent by 2030, and it will take a lot of effort to provide an excellent level of service to fulfil that mandate. QTM is very much part of that effort.”
The event’s high-profile three-day conference covers topics such as what the future holds for travel and tourism and a CEO Panel Discussion focusing on Behavioral Changes of Consumers and Hiring and retention of Employees in the Travel, Tourism and Hospitality Industry.
The event also features a Hosted Buyers’ Program, involving influential buyers from 15 countries
including England, Germany, Russia, France, Malaysia, Turkey, Sweden, Denmark and the USA to network with exhibitors and close profitable deals.
A three-day media familiarisation trip for international media was organised to showcase the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 next year stadiums and many of Qatar’s famous cultural sites and attractions, as well as to experience Qatar’s impressive hospitality landmarks.
The international media partners are truly cosmopolitan and come from India, Malaysia, the UK, China, Dubai, Canada and Russia.
The three-day event has attracted the full support of numerous industry sponsors and partners. Founding Partner is Katara Hospitality, Qatar Tourism the Strategic Partner, Qatar Airways Holidays the Founding Leisure Partner, along with Discover Qatar.
The Supreme Committee is the founding sports partner, Qatar Airways the Official Airline and Mowasalat the Official Transport Partner. Amadeus is the event’s Technology Partner, Retaj Hotels and Hospitality is the Gold Sponsor and Gulf Adventures and Elite Motors are Silver Sponsors.
Association Partners include The World Association for Hospitality and Tourism Education and Training (AMFORHT), World Leisure Organisation (WLO), and World Tourism Association for Culture and Heritage (WTACH).