Qatar welcomes over 1 million visitors in 2012

DOHA, Qatar – Chairman of Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) Issa bin Mohammad Al-Muhannadi underlined that QTA achieved many significant accomplishments during the past period.

DOHA, Qatar – Chairman of Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) Issa bin Mohammad Al-Muhannadi underlined that QTA achieved many significant accomplishments during the past period.

More than one million tourists visited the State of Qatar in 2012.

Growth rates in the number of tourists amounted to about 20 per cent in the third quarter, and occupancy rates of hotel rooms hit a record, compared to previous years, Al-Muhannadi revealed.

In a statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA) on the occasion of Qatar National Day, the QTA Chairman extended sincere congratulations to HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and to the people of Qatar.

He wished the State of Qatar further progress and prosperity, and more accomplishments achieved by the sincere efforts of the Qatari people under the leadership of HH the Emir.

The QTA Chairman said that Qatar will be a favorite and unique tourist destination after the QTA launch a strategic that helps to promote the tourism sector in the state, and maintain the customs, the traditions and the culture of its people and society.

The strategy was developed by national efforts after a wide consultation process.

He said that the Tourism Authority cooperated with specialized international institutions.

Such as the World Tourism Organization and the Global Society of the Exhibition Industry to develop a system of licenses for the various tourism products and services.

It was also keen to promote the industry of events with all its kinds in order to boost tourism and the economic movement in the state.

The QTA Chairman stressed the importance of entertainment activities in activating tourism movement and other tourism sectors.

Such as hotels and promote the retail sector and other tourism sectors, such as hotels, resorts and entertainment venues.

He explained that organizing interesting event attract large number of visitors and tourists.

Such as Wrestling World Championship, Disney on Ice, and Qatar International Food Festival, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha festivals, and many others.

The QTA Chairman underlined that the Tourism Authority was keen to prepare tourism statistics constantly to provide decision makers and investors with the latest developments in the tourism industry in order to help them in setting future planning and working strategies.

Meanwhile, Al-Muhannadi said that QTA developed its annual exhibitions and support the private sector by allowing private companies to run exhibitions organized by the Authority.

Being responsible for the promotion of the State of Qatar as a tourist destination, the Tourism Authority was keen to participate in international exhibitions, and support the private sector by highlighting its role in these exhibitions, QTA Chairman Issa bin Mohammad Al-Muhannadi said.

QTA also launched a website, and applications for smart phone for the activities, festivals and exhibitions in the state, he added.

QTA opened a representative office in Paris, the second after its office in London, and launched the second stage of its ambitious partnership with Paris Saint-Germain to promote Qatar’s numerous tourism assets.

Meanwhile, the Tourism Authority is negotiating with important sector in the state to implement the programs of the new strategy, such as Qatar Airways, Qatar Museums Authority, Mowasalat and Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee, he said.

In cooperation with regional and international organizations, Qatar Tourism Authority took part in developing the unified Arab Strategy for Tourism, which was adopted during the Arab Summit, he added.

Al-Muhannadi noted that several memorandums of understanding in the field of tourism were signed with Ecuador, Brazil and Argentina, which QTA considers as future markets within the new strategy.

It also activated the negotiations with China to sign a joint memorandum of understanding as a prelude to the signing of an agreement to approve the State of Qatar as a tourist destination for China.

The QTA also signed a memorandum of understanding with India to promote cooperation to organize joint exhibitions.

On the occasion of Qatar National Day, the Tourism Authority launched large promotional campaign in the GCC countries in order to invite GCC citizens to visit Qatar and enjoy a range events held on this occasion from December 15 to 19.

The QTA also requested from all hotels in Doha to raise the flags of the state and distributed to the guests.

It also launched a competition for to the best decor for hotel entrance.

The Authority allocated eight offices along the Doha Corniche to help visitors and inform them of the most important events and tours available during their stay.

The offices were provided with screens to display the citizens and residents participations in the public initiative launched by QTA in October last year.

About the author

Avatar of Linda Hohnholz

Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

Share to...