QTA Targets German-Speaking Europe as Priority Market

Doha, 2nd March 2015:  Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA), will take part in ITB Berlin 2015 to promote Qatar as a unique and leading destination in the German-speaking European market and exhibit a range of the destination's attractions, services and initiatives, particularly that it regards this specific market a key growth one in its drive to boost international tourist arrivals.

"We are seeing a highly encouraging growth with the travel trade, media and consumers and it is clear that Qatar 'has what it takes' to appeal to visitors from this part of the world. In 2014 Qatar welcomed around 40,000 arrivals from Germany, 6,000 from Austria and nearly 8,000 from Switzerland.   Theses are solid foundations on which to build.", said, Rashed AlQurese, Chief Marketing& Promotions Officer of QTA.

To capitalize on this potential, QTA is leading a strong delegation for this year's ITB, which takes place in Berlin on 4 - 8 March.    22 tourism organizations, comprising 14 hotels and 8 Destination Management Companies (DMCs), will be exhibiting on the Qatar stand.

"We will provide trade visitors with a comprehensive insight into the destination and its attractions. The wide range of hotels and other tourism suppliers taking part means our stand is effectively a 'one-stop shop' for doing business with Qatar's tourism sector," added, Mr AlQurese.

Qatar is well known as a major international business destination and he pointed out that a key objective at ITB will be to introduce the country's superb leisure and recreational facilities to the German, and wider European travel trade. "Leisure travel from most European countries is increasing and exceeding the expansion in business visitors, and we expect this trend to gain momentum," AlQurese said.

Qatar's hospitality offerings will be well showcased at ITB. Many of the leading international hotel brands will be exhibiting on the stand, together with local and regional hotel groups.

"Collectively, participants will provide visitors with an excellent cross-section of Qatar's hospitality offerings, focusing on the five-star, four-star and boutique hotel sectors," said Mr AlQurese. 

These will include the Grand Hyatt Doha, Grand Regal, Four Seasons, InterContinental Doha, Ritz Carlton and Sharq Village & Spa, St Regis, Sheraton Doha Resort & Convention Hotel, Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels, The Torch, Retaj Hotels & Hospitality, Concord Hotel Doha and The Plaza Inn.

Two new Doha hotels, Banana Island Resort by Antanara and the Marza Malaz Kempinski, will be launching their properties on the international market at ITB which are both important additions to Qatar's impressive existing portfolio of luxury hotels.

Banana Island lies in Doha Bay, 20 minutes from the heart of the capital via a luxury ferry. Its accommodation comprises 141 rooms, suites and villas and its facilities include a private 800-metre beach, lagoon and surf pools, water sports, diving, luxury spa, range of restaurants and helipad.

Marsa Malaz Kempinski is located, on one of the 'man-made' islands that make up Doha's ultra-chic Pearl-Qatar development.  Designed to blend the finest European architecture with traditional Arabian elements, this palatial new hotel has 281 rooms and suites, a private beach, pools, water sports, multiple food and beverage outlets, spa and extensive meeting and function facilities.

Many of the local top tour operators and Destination Management Companies (DMCs) will be represented with QTA at ITB. These include Arabian Adventures Qatar, Qatar International Adventures, Gulf Adventures, Regency Holidays, Discover Qatar (the holiday division of Qatar Airways), Sand Dunes, Travel Designer and Arab Destination of Tourism.

These companies have experience in looking after European visitors, providing ground transport, tours, sightseeing and other more specialized arrangements, such as incentive travel itineraries.

Besides providing a platform for representative of Qatar's hotels and private tourism suppliers, ITB will also give QTA an opportunity to promote a range of other attractions, services and initiatives.

The stand will feature a promotion for QTA's 'Tawash' on-line destination training programme, where travel agents and other tourism professionals are able to sign up, via on-stand tablets,  at www.tawashqatar.com and start the process of becoming accredited experts on Qatar. This programme, which has already proved successful in attracting European travel agents, is designed to build up an international team of authoritative 'tourism ambassadors' for the destination in their respective home markets. 

Mr AlQurese emphasized that, while participation at ITB is a major highlight of QTA's promotional activity in Germany, it is only one element in an extensive programme of initiatives planned to enhance Qatar's profile in the market.

"Since last year's ITB, we have set up a representative office providing us with a permanent on-the-ground presence in the German-speaking countries," he noted. "This has greatly reinforced our day-to-day marketing capabilities and liaison with the travel trade and media. We are now able to engage in a full range of year-round marketing activities, including trade visits and calls, roadshows, workshops, travel agents' training, familiarization visits, media relations and a range of cooperative marketing projects with airline partners and other stakeholders."

For more information, please contact:
Memac Ogilvy PR
Sadeq Alfardan
T: +974 4410 3220
E: sadeq.alfardan@ogilvy.com 
 
About Qatar Tourism Authority
As the Qatari government's tourism planning and promotion arm, Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) works in partnership with stakeholders to plan, regulate and promote the development of a sustainable and mature tourism sector that contributes to Qatar's future and positions the country as a leading tourism destination.

Chaired by H.E. Mr. Issa Bin Mohammed Al Mohannadi, QTA works on showcasing all that Qatar has to offer, reinforcing the country's position on the world tourism map as a premium destination for authentic experiences, business facilitation, and family-focused recreation. 

© Press Release 2015