Qatar Travel Mart (QTM) 2021, organised by NeXTfairs for Exhibitions and Conferences, has launched a new B2B digital matchmaking platform to help generate rewarding new business deals between hosted buyers and exhibitors. QTM has made significant progress with new countries, Russia and Tajikistan, attending, increasing the number of committed countries to 34. New sponsors from key industry players now include Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy as Founding Sports Partner, Mowasalat as Official Transport Partner, JW Marriott Marquis City Center Doha as Hotel Partner and Elite Motors as Silver Sponsor.
The high-level Opening Ceremony will be inaugurated by Minister of Commerce and Industry, H.E. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Bin Qassim Al-Abdullah Al-Thani, with a ribbon-cutting, followed by a VIP tour of the exhibition. VIPs attending the Opening Ceremony will include representatives from Katara Hospitality, Qatar Tourism, Discover Qatar, Qatar Airways Holidays, Qatar Airways, Qatar Aviation Authority, Al Fardan and Ambassadors from Poland, Germany, Tanzania, Spain, Korea, Greece, KSA, Egypt, Mexico, Tajikistan and Thailand as well as other international organizations and local official entities.
The exhibition is under the Patronage of the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, H.E. Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani. In addition to the new sponsors, the event’s Strategic Partner Qatar Tourism is joined by Katara Hospitality as Founding Partner, Qatar Airways as Official Airline, and Discover Qatar & Qatar Airways Holidays as Founding Leisure Partners. Amadeus is the event’s Technology Partner, Retaj Hotels & Hospitality the Gold Sponsor, Gulf Adventures the Silver Sponsor and Asfary the Featured Partner. Association Partners includes The World Association for Hospitality and Tourism Education and Training (AMFORHT), World Leisure Organisation (WLO), and World Tourism Association for Culture & Heritage (WTACH).
34 regional and international countries are now attending the event, represented across 14 national pavilions, such as Visit Britain, Korea National Tourism Organisation, ENIT – Italian State Tourism Board, Visit Rwanda and Dominican Republic Tourism Board. 148 leading travel & tourism industry companies have signed up to exhibit and these include airlines, hotels & resorts, DMCs, cruise lines and transport companies to name a few.
The event’s high-profile three-day Conference will cover what the future holds for travel and tourism and a CEO Panel Discussion will focus on Behavioral Changes of Consumers and Hiring and retention of Employees in the Travel, Tourism and Hospitality Industry. The great line up of high-profile travel & tourism experts from around the world as speakers will now include Nigel Fell – President & CEO of The World Tourism Association for Culture and Heritage (WTACH), Philippe Francois – President of the World Association for Hospitality and Tourism Education and Training (AMFORHT), Dr Cristina Ortega Nuere – Chief Scientific and COO of the World Leisure Organization, Florian Sengstschmid - CEO of Azerbaijan Tourism Board, Emad Abu Jalala - CEO Gulf Adventures, Dr Ivan Ninov - Executive Dean of Al Rayyan International University College (ARIU), Sergey Sukhanov - CEO of Corporation Tourism, RF, JSC, Nuno Anahory - Chairman of Forum Portugal Qatar, Dr. Hussain Sunny Umar - Managing Director of Maldives Halal Travel Guide, Nick Wilkinson - Regional Vice President of the Norwegian Cruise Line, in addition to other keynote speakers.
The event will also feature a Hosted Buyers’ Program, involving influential buyers from 15 countries including England, Germany, Russia, France, Malaysia, Turkey, Sweden, Denmark and the USA to network with exhibitors and close profitable deals.
A three-day media familiarisation trip for international media is being organised to showcase the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ stadiums and many of Qatar’s famous cultural sites and attractions, as well as to experience Qatar’s impressive hospitality landmarks. The International Media Partners are truly cosmopolitan and come from India, Malaysia, UK, China, Dubai, Canada and Russia.
The exhibition is expected to attract more than 7,000 visitors over the three days from 16-18 November 2021 at the DECC. These will comprise international Tourism boards, national & regional Tourism offices, airlines, tour operators and hoteliers to travel agents. Others represented include health service providers, halal tourism, policy makers, corporate travel, investors, academics, travel technology providers, MICE operators, cultural and educational bodies, entertainment and families.
The inaugural edition of QTM 2021 has now achieved even more support from government, international and regional sponsors, stakeholders, partners, Tourism boards and associations, which bodes well for its efforts towards reviving the industry both in Qatar and globally.
Source and cover image: Press Release
Follow us on our social media channels:
@ILQlive
@ILQlive
@ILoveQtr
ILoveQatar
You have successfully registered your account!
Please confirm your e-mail address by clicking on the URL sent to you.The e-mail usually arrives in 5-10 minutes.
How ajeeb was that!? Thanks for contributing to our community! Your post will appear after we take a quick look!
