ORGANIZED FUN
Following the creation of the Qatar National Tourism Council, the Gulf nation has seen a rapid increase in visitors, drawing record tourism numbers in 2019.
Since it won a bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Qatar has been rising as an international destination for travelers, who are curious to discover the rich heritage and fast-paced life of the Gulf nation.
The country's tourism industry has also made significant strides over the last decade with the help of the top-ranked Qatar Airways, with connections to 172 destinations around the world. With the goal of continuing positive growth in the tourism sector, the Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani established the Qatar National Tourism Council (QNTC) on November 4, 2018.
Headed by Prime Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, the QNTC has since helped draw record numbers of tourists to the nation, welcoming nearly 1.2 million visitors during the first seven months of 2019, about a 10.7% increase YoY.
According to recent data, 469,100 visitors were from Asia, compromising 39%, 375,500 were from Europe, or about 31%, while the number of visitors from GCC countries reached 131,600 or about 11%. Such remarkable growth has been achieved through the development of better tourism infrastructure and governance of the tourism sector, which aims to diversify the broader Qatari economy, one of the key objectives of the Qatar National Vision 2030.
Apart from greater marketing and promotion of Qatar for both leisure and business travel, the QNTC was established to aid in strategic industry planning and development.
The council also oversees the implementation of a comprehensive plan to promote investment opportunities in the tourism sector, while providing the management and execution of regulatory affairs regarding business establishment and tourism licenses for swift government services.
In 2020, the QNTC will establish three new entities that will operate under its oversight, including the Qatar Tourism Promotion Company, the Qatar Tourism Development Company, and the Qatar Business Events Company. Together, this network of governmental agencies will replace the Qatar Tourism Authority to coordinate and consolidate efforts for key members and stakeholders in the travel sector.
Without missing a step, the QNTC has moved quickly to increase outreach efforts and promote Qatar as an international destination. In recent months, the council has opened representative offices in major markets such as the US, the UK, France, Turkey, Russia, India, China, and Southeast Asia.
The development comes with the welcome announcement by the World Tourism Organization that recognized Qatar as the most open country for travelers in the Middle East and eighth-most open destination in the world. The designation highlights the state's open visa policies, which allow citizens from 88 countries to enter Qatar visa-free and take advantage of the countries central geographic position for both travel and business convenience.
Such momentum will only accelerate as new state-supported initiatives seek to draw more visitors to the nation through a fast expanding events calendar, showcasing world-class artists, musicians, and expositions.
In November 2019, a 22-member delegation led by the QNTC participated in the World Travel Market 2019 forum in London. State and private-sector partners including Qatar Airways, Katara Hospitality, and various hotel business representatives highlighted key developments in the Qatari tourism sector, including an 8% increase in occupancy rates in the first three quarters of 2019.
Bolstered by events like the Shop Qatar Festival, the Qatar International Food Festival, and Qatar Live concerts of Katy Perry and Maroon 5, the number of visitors to Qatar is projected to continue growing in the coming years under the management of the QNTC.
ORGANIZED FUN
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Interview
Yousuf Mohamed Al-Jaida, CEO, Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) Authority
Given its successful performance in the last few years, QFC is optimistic it will be able to capitalize on Qatar's ongoing efforts to create a world-class business environment and attract more global companies.
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Lolwah R M Al-Khater, Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is focused on pushing forward Qatar's foreign policy, sharing information and perspectives that could be useful for regional security and advancing the Qatari narratives on many issues facing the world today.
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Richard O’Kennedy, Vice President, Research, Development, and Innovation, Qatar Foundation
The first country in the world to track its citizens' genomes, Qatar is on track to make one of modern science's biggest breakthroughs by personalizing medical treatment and precision care.
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Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti, Minister, Transport and Communications (MoTC)
With plans for a fully electric bus system and an impressive set of interconnected transportation options including metro, rail, and tram, the Ministry of Transport and Communication is shifting mobility into the next gear in Qatar.
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Sheikh Abdulla Bin Saoud Al Thani, Governor, Qatar Central Bank (QCB)
Encouraging local manufacturing, initiating self-sufficiency in dairy and farm products, expanding into new air and sea routes, offering select visa-free entry, and enacting fiscal reforms are but several of the successful reforms undertaken since 2017.
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Sean Kelly, Project Director, Place Vendôme
Place Vendôme is no ordinary mall: with 650 hotel rooms, a 6,000-sqm cinema with 18 screens, six slides, three toboggan runs, and an ice river opening in September 2020, it is looking to slide into Qatar's tourism infrastructure in time for the World Cup.
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Mehmed Zingal, General Manager, Turkish Airlines - Qatar
With its 30th year celebration of its Miles&Smiles club launch in Qatar, Turkish Airlines is acknowledging its continued diligence to provide the best customer service, with targets to increase customer happiness through innovative technologies and increasing tourism to Qatar for the future.
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Hassan Rashid Al-Derham, President, Qatar University (QU)
Ranked in the top-500 universities by the Times Higher Education, Qatar University improves students' academic success by supporting students throughout their academic lifecycle, from the pre-university stage to beyond graduation.
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A lesson learned
The international attention set to fall on Qatar over the coming years is significant only to the extent that it generates advances in human capital required by Qatar's blueprint, National Vision 2020, where local know-how and innovation advance the nation and promote wellbeing.
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Dr. Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari, Minister of Public Health & Managing Director,, Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC)
The health minister is committed to continuing the growth of Qatar's healthcare system, with plans for more than 20 new facilities specializing in pediatrics, geriatrics, and mental health.
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