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Qatar Tourism Authority participates in ITB Asia

DOHA: Qatar's thriving tourism and hospitality was showcased at the largest travel show in Asia, ITB Asia, which has just concluded in Singapore.

The Qatar Tourism Authority led a delegation of 11 of the country's top hotels and tourism operators - representing the depth and breadth of Qatar's hospitality offering - in attending the event, which is now in its fourth year.

Taking part this year along with the QTA are Regency Holidays, Grand Hyatt Doha, Oryx Rotana Hotel, Swiss-Bel Hotel, Al Liwan Suites, Doha Golf Club, Millennium Hotel Doha, W Doha Hotel & Residences, Ritz Carlton Doha, Sharq Village & Spa and the Museum of Islamic Art.

Qatar Tourism Authority promoted Qatar to the Asian market, by focusing on buyers from the MICE and leisure sectors, among them conferences organizers, incentive planners, travel operators, and boards of tourism authorities.

The delegation focussed on promoting the QTA 's successful campaign, "48 Hours", which encourages business travellers to Qatar and those on long haul flights between Asia and Europe, to stay over and experience the country.

"The Asian market is very important to us, as Doha sits as the gateway between east and west and we have been very proactive in promoting Qatar to this segment," said QTA Chairman Ahmed Al Nuaimi. "With Qatar Airways now one of the fastest growing airlines in the world and flying to many destinations in Asia, never has there been a more important time for us to showcase Qatar as a destination."

ITB Asia is the premier B2B trade show and convention for the travel industry for establishing new customer contacts and conducting business through networking opportunities, guaranteeing high-quality customer contacts with top buyers from the MICE, leisure and corporate travel markets in Asia Pacific.

QTA 's booth was selected as part of the VIP guided tour, highlighting the importance of Qatar to Asia. Raimund Hosch President and CEO of Messe Berlin, His Excellency Lim Hong Kiang the Minister of Trade and Industry of Singapore, AW Kah Peng the Chief Executive of Singapore Tourism Board, Mizohata Hiroshi from Japan Tourism Industry (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism) were welcomed by QTA representatives and impressed by Qatar's developments.

QTA representatives held a series of meetings with influential travel and tourism representatives. Kristina Mitrovic, a boutique outbound tour operator, wants to sell Qatar as a stopover destination as her clients fly Qatar Airways to Singapore and Maldives. Joseph M.H Sze from Shanghai Innovation Consulting working with corporate and incentive travellers, was so impressed he is working now with Qatar companies including Regency Travel to facilitate the trips for his clients.

John Forsyth who was the lucky winner of a trip to Qatar at last year's ITB, is visiting Qatar after ITB. He has already successfully started selling combined trips to Qatar and Oman based on culture, desert safaris and shopping options called 'Road to Arabia'.

© The Peninsula 2011