His Excellency Ahmed bin Nasser Al Mahrizi, Omani Minister of Tourism, handed Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA), the award for “Best Arab Government Tourism Authority” in 2015, for their contribution to the development of the Arab tourism landscape.

The award, granted by the Arab Centre for Tourism Media, wasreceived by Rashed Al Qurese, Chief Marketing and Promotions Officer at QTA on behalf of His Excellency Issa bin Mohammed Al Mohannadi, QTA Chairman, at an awards ceremony held in the Omani capital, Muscat, under the patronage of the Omani ministers of tourism and media, and in the presence of key personalities in the tourism, business, and media worlds.

“I am proud to witness everything that has been achieved in our beloved country’s tourism sector,” commented His Excellency Mr. 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 His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, Emir of Qatar, and H.E. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Nasser Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, as well as Qatar’s hospitable people for their ongoing 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 of 2015.

He continued: “We are honored 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 of 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 1400 new rooms since the start of 2015.

The seventh edition of the Arab Tourism Media Awards also recognized 20 tourism boards and organizations following nominations from a selection committee that includes academics, experts on tourism and journalists.

The Arab Centre for Tourism Media was established in Cairo in 2007 by a group of Arab media leaders with the aim of encouraging intra-Arab tourism and promoting Arab tourist attractions.

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