For Immediate Release 18 October 2017

International Associations Meet their Match in Qatar

QTA introduces associations looking for hosts for their global

conventions to local industry leaders

Meeting planners for international associations met with local industry representatives in a session hosted by Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) to introduce event planners to potential hosts. The planners represented international associations looking to host their upcoming congresses and conventions to be held in the years between 2019 and 2024. The associations include the Global Association of International Sports Federations, International Society of Endocrinology, and the International Sport and Culture Association. The match-making session took place at the Sheraton Grand Doha Resort and Convention Hotel, enabling planners to witness first hand a sample of the country’s state-of-the art conference facilities, and meet with leading local organisations such as Qatar Olympic Committee, Qatar Financial Center, Sidra and Virginia Commonwealth University - Qatar.

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“It gives us great pleasure to match global associations to representatives of institutions in Qatar from across key sectors such as health, sports and art,” commented Ahmed Al Obaidli, Director of Exhibitions at QTA. “Given the strong synergies between the association’s activities and those of the Qatar market, we are confident that the meetings will provide further support for Qatar’s position as a fitting host for their conventions and events.” Al Obaidli added that QTA regularly holds sessions to introduce planners to local stakeholders, as part of its work to empower Qatar-based organisations to bid for and host global events. QTA is stepping up efforts to engage international associations as Qatar’s leadership has placed leisure and business tourism at the top of the national development agenda for the next five years. Large-scale international events that draw thousands of delegates can bring up to $50 million in revenue to a host country, through visitors spending on hospitality, transportation, and retail. The business events sector’s growth is complemented by developments in supporting sectors, such as hospitality and air travel. Qatar currently has over 20,000 rooms, which is set to grow substantially in the coming years. Our national carrier, Qatar Airways, directly connects us to over 150 destinations with one of the best fleets of aircraft in the world.

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For further information, please contact QTA’s Press Office on: +974 4499 7882 or +974 3392 4466 pressoffice@visitqatar.qa About Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA): Qatar Tourism Authority’s mission is to firmly establish Qatar on the global map as a place where cultural authenticity meets modernity, and where people of the world come together to experience unique offerings in culture, sports, business and family entertainment. In 2014, QTA launched the Qatar National Tourism Sector Strategy (QNTSS), which seeks to diversify the country’s tourism offering and increase the sector’s contribution to Qatar’s economy by 2030. In 2017, the Next Chapter of QNTSS was launched, charting the next five years (2017-2023) of the tourism sector’s growth. Since launching QNTSS, Qatar has welcomed over 10 million visitors. The economic impact of the tourism sector in Qatar is becoming increasingly visible with 2016 estimates showing a total (direct and indirect) contribution to Qatar’s GDP of 6.7%. www.visitqatar.qa @QTACorporate

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