(MENAFN - Qatar News Agency) Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) is participating in one of the globes biggest tourism and hospitality trade shows, the World Travel Market (WTM) in at ExCel now in progress in London.
Leading a delegation of Qatar's top hospitality and travel professionals, QTA is targeting the lucrative UK market. The Qatar stand, ME435, at the event will showcase Qatar's tourism potential as well as its extensive Meetings Incentives Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE)
QTA will promote Qatar to the UK and European markets, by focusing on buyers from the incentive, luxury travel and leisure sectors, among them associations, conferences organizers, incentive planners and large-group travel organizers.
Staged annually in London, World Travel Market (WTM) is a four-day business to business event, which opened earlier Monday and due to conclude tomorrow, Thursday, presenting a diverse range of destinations and industry sectors to UK and international travel professionals.
"For Qatar, the World Travel Market continues to be one of the best platforms to develop relationships with the UK and international travel trade," said Ahmed Al Nuaimi, QTA Chairman.
"The UK market is a very strong one for Qatar and both countries have a close bond. We see an estimated which sees an estimated 40,000 travelers from the UK visit Qatar each year. This number is expected to rise with the opening of the New Doha international Airport and as Qatar Airways, our flagship carrier, continues its rapid expansion. The event is a unique opportunity for the travel trade to meet, network, negotiate and conduct business at one venue," he said.
Al Nuaimi has been invited to participate as a speaker in the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) WTM Minister s Summit along with tourism leaders from around the world. The summit will look at "How Tourism Can Prosper in Times of Uncertainty".
QTA has been targeting the UK and European market with its highly successful "48 Hours" campaign which encourages long haul passengers flying through Doha and business travelers to stay an extra two days in Qatar and experience its warm Arabian hospitality.
"There are more and more tourism attractions in Qatar ranging from our iconic museums and cultural activities to high profile sporting events, from luxury hotels and spas to fine dining that are of interest to visitors from the UK. With frequent daily and direct flights offered by both Qatar Airways and British Airways a long weekend visit is not only easy but also appealing," Al Nuaimi said.
"We are also targeting the MICE sector, which continues to grow every year. Qatar has shown it can stage high profile large scale events and we are also seeing the emergence of interest in the country as an incentives destination. Qatar has evolved into a destination that can offer a range of options to different markets."
"Doha has been chosen to host the prestigious World Travel Awards on December 11 this year. This event celebrates the best of the travel and tourism industry. The fact that Qatar has been chosen to host it recognizes the growing stature of our nation."
