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Qatar Tribune
12-05-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
QT hosts 1st Qatar Tourism Awards Alumni Network gathering
Tribune News Network Doha Qatar Tourism (QT) hosted the inaugural Qatar Tourism Awards Alumni Network event on May 12, at Mandarin Oriental, Doha – winner of the Outstanding 5-Star Hotel 2024 Qatar Tourism Awards. The Qatar Tourism Awards Alumni Network brings together winners from the first two editions of the Awards, alongside industry leaders and senior management from Qatar Tourism. During his welcome speech, Chairman of Qatar Tourism, Saad bin Ali Al Kharji, said, 'Through this forum, we create a platform for the exchange of ideas, success stories, and opportunities for collaboration, with the goal of drawing insights from the achievements of the Qatar Tourism Award recipients. These shared experiences serve to enhance the quality of tourism services and support the development of a more competitive and distinguished sector at both regional and international levels. At Qatar Tourism, we firmly believe that recognition should not end with the award itself but rather serve as the foundation for a continued partnership – one that fosters professional growth and reinforces the culture of excellence we strive to embed across all facets of our tourism sector.' The event featured a panel discussion on leadership, sustainable innovation, and the role of professional recognition in advancing organisational growth and excellence. The conversation highlighted participants' experiences in promoting Qatari identity, expanding the reach of digital tourism, and enhancing the overall experience for residents and visitors. Moderated by Jassim Mahmoud, director of PR and Communications at Visit Qatar, the panellists included Eng. Ali Mohammed Al Kuwari, CEO of Msheireb Properties, winner of the 'Leading Tourism Facility Sustainability Award', 'Iconic Local Attractions Award', 'Smart Solutions Award' and 'Cultural Experience Award', Nada Al Sulaiti, founder of Hairaat and winner of the Leading Local Retail Brand award, Saoud Al Kuwari, Tourism Influencer of the Year; Ammar Samad, general manager of Zulal Wellness Resort, winner of Exceptional Resort Experience and Exceptional Spa Experience for both Year 1 and Year 2; Shane Eldstrom and CEO of Place Vendôme, winner of the Premier Shopping Mall Experience award. The panellists shared perspectives on how to leverage the awards to support institutional development and concluded the session with practical advice and encouragement for prospective applicants of the next edition of the awards.
Tourism Breaking News
05-05-2025
- Business
- Tourism Breaking News
Qatar welcomes more than 1.5 million visitors in first quarter of 2025
Post Views: 130 Qatar's tourism sector kicked off 2025 with strong momentum, welcoming more than 1.5 million international visitors from January to March, driven by an integrated tourism strategy that combines major events, strategic partnerships and diverse tourism experiences that meet the aspirations of different visitors. Visitors from the GCC (36 per cent), followed by visitors from Europe (28 per cent) and Asia and Oceania (20 per cent) led the way, reflecting Qatar's growing position as an attractive tourist destination in regional and international markets. Visitor arrivals were distributed by air (51%), land (34%) and cruises (15%), highlighting the effectiveness of Qatar's diverse reach strategy. Eid Al Fitr 2025 recorded the highest tourist arrivals during the festive period in the past three years, with 213,500 visitors arriving over an eight-day period, an increase of 26% compared to 2024, and visitors from the GCC constituting 49% of the total visitors, recording an annual increase of 18%, while hotel occupancy reached 77%, recording an annual growth of 10%. This growth was accompanied by strong performance across the hospitality sectors, with average hotel occupancy reaching 71% and 2.6 million hotel nights sold, reflecting a significant increase in demand driven by key events such as the Qatar Web Summit, Doha Jewellery & Watches and Qatar International Food Festival. H.E. Saad bin Ali Al Kharji, President of Qatar Tourism and Chairman of Visit Qatar, said: 'The achievements of the first quarter of 2025 reflect the strength of our long-term strategic approach to developing the tourism sector. By deepening collaboration locally, regionally and internationally, we continue to diversify target markets, enhance visitor experiences, and cement Qatar's position as a vibrant year-round tourism destination. We are delighted to welcome 1.5 million visitors in the first quarter and look forward to welcoming more visitors throughout this year.' The State of Qatar affirmed its regional leadership in the tourism sector, by hosting the fifty-first meeting of the United Nations Tourism Organization Regional Committee for the Middle East, where discussions focused on harnessing Qatar's strengths in the fields of sports, innovation, and infrastructure to drive sustainable tourism regionally. As part of its commitment to responsible development, Qatar is moving forward with the project to transform Khor Al Udeid into a premium desert tourism destination, which is based on the Tourism Master Plan, combining environmental conservation with nature-inspired experiences. To enhance the visitor experience, Qatar Tourism launched the 'Taste of Qatar' initiative in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health and Ipsos, with the aim of setting benchmarks and developing the country's food scene to meet the aspirations of both residents and visitors. Major events that promote the sector and elevate the global landscape Doha Jewellery & Watches 2025 welcomed around 30,000 visitors and saw the participation of more than 500 luxury brands from Qatar and abroad. Sales of the exhibition exceeded QAR 246 million, a growth of around 10 per cent compared to last year. The first-of-its-kind Ras Brouq desert event attracted more than 55,000 visitors over 60 days, while Visit Qatar's Sealine Season attracted more than 48,000 visitors. The Qatar Shopping Festival 2025 also recorded records of more than QAR 120 million in sales, an increase of 50% over the previous year, and prizes worth QAR 2.5 million were distributed. The fourteenth edition of theQatar International Food Festival attracted more than 360,000 visitors, with the participation of 180 restaurants, including 28 international restaurants, while the 'Eat First' festival welcomed more than 100,000 visitors, in the old Doha Port. Continuous growth of cruise tourism The 2024/2025 cruise season saw 87 ships received (a growth of 19% compared to the previous season), including 5 additional ships that made their first voyages to Doha Port, and 13 departures and closings. The number of cruise visitors during this season exceeded 360,000, an increase of 4% compared to the previous season. Transfer passengers – starting or ending their journey in Qatar – accounted for more than 10 per cent of total visitors, reflecting the country's growing position as a major hub for cruise tourism in the region. Global promotional campaigns promote awareness about the destination Qatar continues to strengthen its global position in the tourism sector through a combination of media campaigns and global engagements in priority markets. In the first quarter, Qatar had a prominent presence at global platforms such as FITUR 2025, the Berlin International Travel and Tourism Exchange and the Mumbai Outbound Travel Show. In addition, Visit Qatar has strengthened its pause campaigns through media and marketing campaigns and expanded its media reach targeting key markets. Regionally, media campaigns played a pivotal role in enhancing engagement and attracting visitors, particularly from the GCC, which accounted for 36% of total international visitors in the first quarter. Three key initiatives have had a strong impact, including the 'Hala Bal Jar Al Ghali' campaign during the holy month of Ramadan, the interactive TV show 'Have fun and win', and the Eid al-Fitr campaign 'Eid Activities on Us'. These efforts have contributed to enhancing cultural communication and encouraging travel during key periods, contributing to record numbers of visitors during Eid Al Fitr 2025.
Qatar Tribune
03-05-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar welcomes over 1.5 mn visitors in Q1
Tribune News Network Doha Qatar's tourism sector kicked off 2025 with strong momentum, welcoming more than 1.5 million international visitors between January and March, thanks to an integrated tourism strategy that combines high-profile events, strategic partnerships, and diversified destination experiences. Visitors from GCC countries accounted for 36 percent, followed by Europe with 28 percent and Asia and Oceania 20 percent, reinforcing Qatar's growing appeal across varied markets. Visitor arrivals by air accounted for 51 percent, land 34 per and sea 15 percent. Eid Al Fitr 2025 delivered the highest holiday arrival figures in three years, with 214,000 visitors during the 8-day period, a 26 percent increase over 2024. GCC visitors accounted for 49 percent of the total, marking an 18 percent year-on-year increase, and hotel occupancy reached 77 percent, up 10 percent from the same period last year. Strong performance across the hospitality sector accompanied this growth. About 71 percent average hotel occupancy and 2.6 million room nights sold reflected heightened demand fuelled by key events including Web Summit Qatar, the Doha Jewellery & Watches Exhibition (DJWE), and the Qatar International Food Festival. HE Saad bin Ali Al Kharji, Chairman of Qatar Tourism and Chair of the Board of Directors of Visit Qatar, said: 'The achievements of the first quarter of 2025 demonstrate some of the planned outputs of our long-term approach to tourism development. Part of the development transcends into deepening collaboration across local, regional and international markets and continue to diversify source markets, enhance visitor experiences, and reinforce Qatar's position as a dynamic, year-round destination. We are excited to have welcomed 1.5 mn in Q1 and look forward to welcoming more guests throughout this year.' Qatar reaffirmed its leadership in regional tourism by hosting the 51st UN Tourism Regional Committee for the Middle East, where discussions focused on harnessing Qatar's strengths in sports, innovation, and infrastructure to drive sustainable tourism across the region. As part of its commitment to responsible development, Qatar is also progressing the transformation of Khor Al Udaid into a premier desert tourism destination. Anchored in the Tourism Assets Masterplan, the project blends environmental preservation with upscale, nature-based visitor experiences—positioning it as a model for eco-tourism in the region. To further elevate the visitor experience, Qatar Tourism has also launched the 'Taste of Qatar' initiative in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health and Ipsos, aimed at benchmarking and enhancing the country's dining landscape for both residents and tourists. The Doha Jewellery & Watches Exhibition 2025 welcomed nearly 30,000 visitors, featuring over 500 international and local brands, and recorded sales exceeding QAR 246 million, up nearly 10% from last year. Visit Qatar's first-of-its-kind Ras Abrouq desert activation drew 55,000 visitors over 60 days, while Visit Qatar's Sealine Village attracted over 48,000 attendees. Shop Qatar 2025 generated QR120 million in sales, a 50% increase year-on-year, and awarded QR2.5 million in prizes. The Qatar International Food Festival brought together 365,000+ visitors and 180 restaurants, including 28 international outlets, while the Throwback Food Festival welcomed over 100,000 to Doha's Old Port. The 2024/2025 cruise season recorded 87 ship calls (up 19 percent from previous season), including five maiden voyages and 13 homeporting calls, bringing in over 360,000 cruise visitors, which is a 4% increase year-on-year. Over 10% were turnaround passengers, supporting Qatar's positioning as a regional cruise hub. Qatar continues to elevate its global tourism profile through a mix of high-impact campaigns and strategic market activations. In Q1, Qatar had a prominent presence at global platforms including FITUR (Spain), ITB Berlin, and the Outbound Travel Fair in India, reinforcing its appeal to high-potential travellers. In addition, Visit Qatar enhanced its international stopover campaigns and broadened visibility through content-driven outreach and targeted media placements across key source markets. At the regional level, tailored campaigns played a pivotal role in boosting visitation and engagement, particularly from the GCC, which accounted for 36% of all international arrivals in Q1. Three major initiatives made a strong impact including the Ramadan campaign 'Welcome Our Dear Neighbours', the interactive TV programme 'Emrah wa Erbah', and the Eid Al Fitr campaign 'Entertainment on Us'. These efforts successfully deepened cultural resonance and encouraged travel during key periods, contributing to record-breaking visitor numbers during Eid Al Fitr 2025. Momentum is set to continue with a robust calendar of confirmed events. Qatar will host the T100 Triathlon World Championship Final in partnership with the Professional Triathletes Organisation annually until 2030. Upcoming highlights include the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025, the return of the Visit Qatar E1 Grand Prix of Electric Boats, as well as a series of major festivals and sporting events, all set to further diversify Qatar's tourism offerings and drive sustained growth.
Zawya
18-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Qatar participates in the 9th GCC ministerial meeting for tourism officials
The State of Qatar participated in the 9th Meeting of Their Excellencies, the Ministers responsible for tourism in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries which was held February 17th, 2025, in Kuwait. The meeting explored ways to enhance tourism cooperation among member states and support regional integration in this vital sector. The Qatari delegation was led by His Excellency Mr. Saad bin Ali Al Kharji, Chairman of Qatar Tourism. The ministers commended the key achievements of Gulf tourism in 2024, which strengthened the GCC's position as an attractive global tourism destination. These accomplishments were driven by major events and high-quality projects that promote tourism diversity and offer exceptional visitor experiences. The meeting also discussed the potential for further tourism collaboration among Gulf states through specialised discussion sessions, which examined prospects for tourism integration, mechanisms for unifying regional promotional efforts, and enhanced cooperation in organising joint events and initiatives. During the meeting, Al Ain was announced as the Gulf Tourism Capital for 2025, in recognition of its rich tourism offerings, including natural, cultural, and heritage assets that reflect the region's diversity. Additionally, the establishment of GCC Tourism Day on January 20th each year was approved, providing an annual occasion to highlight the achievements of the Gulf tourism sector and showcase leading projects and initiatives. At the conclusion of the meeting, it was agreed that the next ministerial meeting will take place in April 2026 in the United Arab Emirates, continuing efforts to strengthen cooperation and develop joint tourism policies that support the sustainable growth of the Gulf's tourism sector. About Qatar Tourism Qatar Tourism, the regulatory body of the tourism sector in Qatar. Qatar Tourism's mission is to promote and expand tourism in Qatar by cultivating its rich culture, develop thrilling attractions, and luxury experiences. With a clear vision to strengthen Qatar's position as a premier family-tourism destination distinguished by service excellence, to achieve diverse and innovative economic growth. Qatar Tourism will regulate and develop the tourism industry, encouraging investment from the private sector. It set the strategy for the tourism sector, reviewing it periodically and overseeing its implementation, with the aim of diversifying tourism offerings in the country and increasing visitor spend. Qatar Tourism is expanding Qatar's presence globally and enhancing the tourism sector.
Trade Arabia
31-01-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
Qatar set to host 21st Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition
Qatar Tourism is set to host the Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition (DJWE) from January 30th to February 5th, 2025. The 21st annual event, under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman bin Jassim Al Thani, will showcase exceptional craftsmanship and artistry from global and local designers. The week-long exhibition will feature collections from Al Fardan Jewellery, Al Majed Jewellery, Ali Bin Ali Luxury, Amiri Gems, Fifty-One East, Al Muftah Jewellery, Blue Salon, Bvlgari, Arts and Gems, and a diverse range of international brands and emerging Qatari designers. The exhibition will also feature three highly anticipated pavilions: the Qatari, Turkish, and Indian pavilions, each showcasing unique craftsmanship and cultural heritage of each country. Saad bin Ali Al Kharji, Chairman of Qatar Tourism, said: 'The Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition is one of Qatar Tourism's flagship events, exemplifying our commitment to hosting world-class MICE events and reinforcing our global position as a leading hub for luxury experiences. In addition to showcasing the latest trends from international jewellery and watch brands, DJWE offers a platform for Qatari designers, showcasing their exceptional talent and craftsmanship.' He added, 'As we continue to work towards the goals outlined in the Qatar National Vision 2030, events such as DJWE reflect our dedication to economic diversification, supporting local talent, and offering unique experiences to visitors from around the world. The 21st edition will bring together more than 500 brands from 30 countries, creating a unique opportunity for cultural and business exchange.' DJWE has long been established as a premier B2B and B2C jewellery and watches exhibition in the region. Owned by Qatar Tourism and sponsored by Visit Qatar, this year's edition will bring together industry leaders, renowned brands, and distinguished clients from across the region, offering visitors the opportunity to explore an extraordinary array of collections, engage directly with industry experts, and participate in exclusive networking sessions.
