Under the Patronage of His Excellency the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Qatar Travel Mart (QTM) 2023, expertly organized by NeXTfairs for Exhibitions and Conferences, made a grand entrance with a prestigious Opening Ceremony featuring the exhibition's inauguration by, His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al Abdullah Al Thani, the Minister of Commerce and Industry.
This momentous event was held at Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC) and graced by the presence of distinguished personalities, including , Sheikh Fasial bin Qassim Al Thani Chairman of Qatari Hotels Association and Qatari Businessmen Association, Mr. Saad Bin Ali Al Kharji, Chairman of Qatar Tourism, Mr. Nasser Matar AlKawari, CEO of Katara Hospitality, Salim Khalaf Al Manai, GCEO of QIC, Prof. Muzaffer Uysal, University of Massachusetts, H.E. Mrs. Latifa El Bouabdellaoui, Director General of ICDT, Mr. Ashraf Abuissa, Chairman of Abuissa holding, Mr. Abdulkarim Aldarwish, President of Saudi Tourism Authority and Mr. Rawad Sleem Co-Founder and General Manager, NeXTfairs (Exhibition Organizer), and Mr. Abdul Aziz Bin Hattab Al Kaabi Vice Chairman of Al Hattab Holding Board of Directors.
The ceremony drew over 100 prominent VIPs, including ambassadors and delegates from 60 countries, such as H.E. Georges Bahsa Hazim, Ambassador of Dominican Republic Embassy, H.E. Guillermo Ordorica, Ambassador of Mexico, H.E. Feisel Aliyi Abrahim, Ambassador of Ethiopian Embassy, H.E. Mr. Ioannis Ioannidis, Ambassador of Greek Embassy, Ambassador of Italy H.E Mr. Paolo Toschi. Notable Tourism Boards, including St. Petersburg, South Korea, Seychelles, Thailand, Croatia, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyztan, Almaty, Jordan, Lebanon and others were also in attendance.
The success of Qatar Travel Mart is indebted to the invaluable support of its esteemed sponsors and partners. Their roster of sponsors and partners are Strategic Partner Qatar Tourism; Title Sponsor: Saudi Tourism Authority-STA, Founding Partner Katara Hospitality; Event Supporters: The Ministry of Commerce and Industry; Official Airline Qatar Airways; Official Transport Mowasalat; Hospitality Partner Ezdan Palace; Platinum Sponsor Retaj Hotels and Hospitality; Official Destination Management Company Experience Qatar; and Association Partners: AMFORHT – The World Association for Hospitality Tourism Education and Training), World Tourism Association for Culture and Heritage, WLO – The World Leisure Organization), and the Islamic Centre for Development and Trade. Together, they stand united in their mission to reshape the travel and tourism industry landscape.
Following the Opening Ceremony and ribbon-cutting, a VIP tour of major stands and country pavilions at the QTM’s Global Village was conducted, marking the beginning of this remarkable event.
Many keynote speeches inaugurated the QTM 2023 Conference, establishing a platform for the exchange of knowledge, inspiration, and insights into emerging global trends. The conference initiated its proceedings with a skillfully moderated panel discussion led by Prof. Wolfgang George Arlt. The focal point of this discussion was 'The Future of Travel & Tourism: A Growing Positive Curve,' and it featured prominent figures, including Mohammed Al Asmakh, Director - Asset Management - Katara Hospitality; Philip Dickinson, overseeing Leading International Markets and MICE at Qatar Tourism; Tom Jenkins, CEO of the European Tourism Association (ETOA); Chris Flynn, who serves as Chairman and Founder of the World Tourism Association for Culture & Heritage (WTACH) and Prof. Muzaffer Uysal, Provost Professor, University of Massachusetts.
Following the panel discussion, attendees could listen to guest talks on topics such as 'The 'Burgenstock Collection: A Sustainable Collection'; 'Certification: Why This is so Crucial in This International Crisis Period '; 'Chinese Outbound Tourism, Current Status and Predictions for the Future'; and 'Korea Tourism: Riding The Korean Wave.'
In addition to these insightful discussions, attendees had the opportunity to explore exhibition stands and QTM's Global Village. Hosting 25 embassies, the Global Village is a hub for diverse cultures, connecting different parts of the world under one roof and showcasing heritage, traditions, and philosophies.
At the grand Gala Dinner, Qatar Travel Mart 2023 will shine a well-deserved spotlight on both exhibitors who have demonstrated extraordinary dedication to enhancing attendee experiences, promoting greater accessibility, and fostering environments conducive to productive business interactions. Awards will be given to exhibitors across various categories: Awards will be presented in a range of categories, including Most Accessible Booth, Innovation Excellence Booth, Best Sustainability Champion Booth, Transport Excellence Booth, and Best Designed Stand (above and below 150 SQM). The Gala Dinner promises to be an unforgettable evening hosted at the luxurious Raffles Hotel in Doha.
Attendees can also participate in the Hosted Buyer Program, a collaboration with Qatar Tourism –– a valuable initiative that facilitates connections between selected high-quality buyers from QTM's target countries and regions with exhibitors and visitors to generate business opportunities.
The inauguration of today's event also signaled the start of a three-day media familiarization program organized by Experience Qatar. This comprehensive program featured a guided heritage tour, encompassing visits to prominent landmarks such as the Qatar National Museum and Souq Waqif, as well as an enchanting sunset dhow excursion, providing breathtaking vistas of Doha's impressive skyline.
On the concluding day of QTM 2023, exhibitors have the chance to participate in the inaugural Golf Day event, which will be held at the renowned Education City Golf Course in Doha. This presents an excellent opportunity to connect with fellow professionals in the travel industry within a laid-back and informal setting, fostering the growth of valuable relationships.
Qatar Travel Mart 2023 will run until November 22, 2023, taking place at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC). The event is accessible to the public from 10 am to 7 pm.
Source and cover image credit: Press Release
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