For Immediate Release 21 October 2017

Public and Private Sector Gather to Explore Tourism Promotion Strategies QTA to open representative offices in India, Russia

Quarterly Marketing Framework Summit gathers international representatives and local tourism industry

Stepping up efforts to promote Qatar’s tourism offering internationally, Qatar Tourism Authority gathered representatives of its global offices with members of the local tourism industry at the Tourism Marketing Framework Summit. At the event, QTA’s international marketing strategists and members of the tourism sector discussed ways to expand the presence of Qatar’s destination brand globally, and increase the impact of international promotion campaigns, particularly as the tourism industry begins implementing the Next Chapter of the Qatar National Tourism Sector Strategy. The Next Chapter, launched at the World Tourism Day official celebration in Qatar last month, details a plan to generate global interest in the country and an expansion of Qatar’s network of tourism promotion offices. It also calls for close collaboration between QTA, Qatar Airways, and destination management companies in the country, to package products and events that deliver complete Qatar experiences for prospective visitors.

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“Our efforts to achieve the targets of the Next Chapter are already underway, and seek to build on everything we have achieved since 2014,” remarked Rashed AlQurese, Chief Marketing and Promotion Officer. “Thanks to the foundations we have laid over the past few years, from opening nine offices across the world to launching 260 global campaigns, we are in an ideal position to accelerate that growth, and to increase the number of markets covered by our promotional efforts.” Last month, QTA set up representative offices in China, with headquarters in Beijing, and supporting locations in Shanghai and Guangzhou. The opening came as Qatar was officially awarded Approved Destination Status (ADS), allowing it to receive tourists from China and to promote Qatar as a tourism destination within China. “We are building a solid platform in Asia from which we can promote Qatar as a welcoming, authentic and easily accessible destination,” added Al Qurese. “Before the end of the year, we aim to establish presence in India and Russia, which are both among the world’s largest exporters of tourists.” India, Russia and China are among 80 countries whose nationals have been granted a visa waiver by Qatar. This allows them to enter the country visa free, provided they have a passport that is valid for a minimum of 6 months, and a return or onward booking. Marketing Qatar internationally entails close collaboration between public and private sector partners, including hotels, tourism establishments and the national airline – Qatar Airways. The quarterly summits allowed QTA’s international teams to interact with their counterparts in Qatar, while staying up to date with the destination latest developments. Attendees at the summit also discussed Qatar’s representation at upcoming global tourism trade shows, which include World Travel Market in London and IBTM World in Barcelona.

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– Ends – 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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