01 September 2015
Doha: Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) is this year's "Best Arab Government Tourism Authority" at the seventh Arab Tourism Media Awards held in Muscat.

QTA won the award for its contribution to the development of the Arab tourism landscape.

Omani Minister of Tourism Ahmed bin Nasser Al Mahrizi handed the award to QTA Chief Marketing and Promotions Officer Rashed Al Qurese, who received the award on behalf of QTA Chairman Issa bin Mohammed Al Mohannadi.

"I am proud to witness everything that has been achieved in our beloved country's tourism sector," said Al Mohannadi.

"This award is a reflection of the relentless efforts exerted by QTA and its partners to build and develop the tourism sector in Qatar. And I would like to take the opportunity to thank the Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Prime Minister and Minister of Interior H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani as well as Qatar's hospitable people for their continuous support in helping build our nation's tourism industry and transforming the country into a global hub that is proud of its deep cultural roots."

Al Mohannadi added that Qatar is on track to achieving the Qatar National Tourism Sector Strategy's goal of 7 million tourists by 2030, citing indications that the country is on path to meeting a milestone of three million visitors by the end of 2015.

He added: "We are honoured to receive this award from the Arab Centre for Tourism Media whose mission is in line with our tourism strategy, as we devote more and more of our efforts towards building on the success of initiatives that promote intra-Arab tourism and shed light on Arabian treasures. These initiatives include the Cruise Arabia Alliance and the Annual GCC Handicrafts Exhibition, the first edition of which Qatar is proud to host this October."

QTA's Mid-Year Tourism Performance Report for 2015 shows an expanding tourist accommodation sector and a seven per cent increase in the number of foreign visitors received in the first half of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014. Data on hotel performance shows continued demand growth in the sector and in overall occupancy rates, which have advanced from previous highs in 2014, even with the addition of 1,400 new rooms since the start of 2015.

© The Peninsula 2015