DOHA: Qatar Tourism Authority’s (QTA) efforts in line with the country’s long term vision to achieve economic diversification and sustainable development is making significant impact on the local economy, noted a senior official of the tourism authority.
With the rise in the number of exhibitions and international events, more and more tourists, industry experts, exhibitors, business leaders and investors, have started participating in the various economic and investment activities.
With over 11 big international exhibitions lined-up for the final quarter, the total number of such events organised by QTA will reach 140 by the end of this year.
The upcoming major events such as Milipol Qatar, Qatar Motor Show, Book Fair, Heya Women Fashion Exhibition and others, are expected to bring a lot of international tourists, during the quarter.
The events are expected to see a participation by nearly 40 countries, which will act as a major contributor in increasing the number of visitors to Qatar, further accelerating and boosting the economic growth.
“The international events such as exhibitions, seminars and conferences create huge positive impact on the economy. Even an average size of exhibition with about 250 exhibitors brings at least 500 people to participate who stay at least for five days in the country,” said Ahmed Al Obaidli (pictured), Director of QTA Exhibitions told The Peninsula.
Explaining it further, Al Obaidli added: For instance, they buy air tickets, hire hotel accommodations and eat food in restaurants and eateries. This creates cascading effects across many sectors of the local economy.”
He said that as director for the exhibitions he has been encouraging the number of inbound tourists from all over the world.
“We have been working hard to highlight the opportunities Qatar offers. We are also striving to address all kinds of challenges the exhibitors used to face. These efforts have started bearing positive and encouraging results. By the end of this year we will have some 140 exhibitions dedicated to different market sizes in a wide-range of sectors catering to a huge audience.”
He said that the state-backed agency considers business events as one of four major sectors in Qatar’s tourism industry and it is expected to attract 5.6 million visitors by 2023.
QTA launched the Qatar brand as a destination for business activities two years ago, in order to attract international exhibitions and conferences to Qatar, which contributed to the increase in the number of business activities, organised or licensed by QTA in Qatar to reach 30 percent in 2017 from 2015. The increase was despite the exceptional circumstances experienced by Qatar and the region.
He also said that this focus is part of the national strategy for the tourism sector, which was announced in its five-year plan in September last year.
He noted that the rise in the number of exhibitions and other economic activities also suggest that Qatar has emerged as a leading destination for business meetings, events and exhibitions.
He said that QTA has been working closely with the private sector to facilitate the growth of business events. In addition, it has also joined hands with many government agencies and stakeholders, such as customs department, to make it easier for international exhibitors to showcase their products and services in Qatar.
“In addition to a number of stakeholders, we are also working in close cooperation with the customs authority to ensure hassle-free movement of goods, including the exhibiting materials, machines and equipment,” Al Obaidli said.
