Qatar Travel Mart 2024 Concludes with unprecedented success, paving the way for future growth.
Under the Patronage of the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani QATAR TRAVEL MART 2024 CONCLUDES WITH UNPRECEDENTED SUCCESS, PAVING THE WAY FOR FUTURE GROWTH Doha, Qatar – 3 December, 2024: The third edition of Qatar Travel Mart (QTM) 2024, held from November 25-27 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC), has concluded with resounding success, solidifying its position as a premier event in the global travel and tourism industry. The event, organized by NeXTfairs under the patronage of Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, attracted over 300 exhibitors from 60 countries and welcomed more than 10,678 visitors, making it one of the region’s most impactful travel and tourism events. The prestigious QTM 2024 event was officially inaugurated by His Excellency Sheikh Faisal Bin Thani Al Thani, Qatar’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, and His Excellency Mr. Saad bin Ali Al Kharji, Chairman of Qatar Tourism and Chair of the Board of Directors of Visit Qatar and Nasser Matar AlKawari, Chief Executive Officer of Katara Hospitality. The grand opening was also attended by prominent figures including H.E. Dr. Hamad Bin Abdulaziz Al-Kawari, State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of Qatar; H.E. Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al-Thani, Chairman of Al Faisal Holding; and Eng. Abdulaziz Ali Al Mawlawi, CEO of Visit Qatar. The event also saw the presence of esteemed ambassadors and dignitaries from various countries, including H.E. Ambassador Mohamed Setri of Morocco, H.E. Ambassador Mohammed Bin Ali Al Ghatam of Bahrain, H.E. Mr. Shane Flanagan, Ambassador of Australia, H.E. Mrs. Erika Bernhard, Ambassador of Austria, H.E. Mr. Paolo Toschi, Ambassador of Italy, H.E. Mr. Satoshi Maeda, Ambassador of Japan, H.E. Mr. Daniel Tănase, Ambassador of Romania, H.E. Jose Rafael Aguero Avila, Charge d’Affaires of Paraguay, H.E. Dr. Marcelo Gerona Morales, Ambassador of Uruguay, Mr. Juan Martin Benavides, Consul of Uruguay, H.E. Mr. Drago Lovric, Ambassador of Croatia, and H.E. Mr. Md Nazrul Islam, Ambassador of Bangladesh. QTM 2024 showcased an impressive array of tourism offerings through an expanded exhibition space of 15,000 square meters providing ample room for networking and business development. Through a variety of engaging platforms exhibitors, speakers, and attendees were immersed into the future of tourism and its latest innovations across seven dedicated sectors, including; Business, Leisure, Luxury, Medical, Cultural, Sports, and Halal Tourism. Key features of the event included; a Global Village showcasing cultural experiences from around the world; a Hosted Buyers Programme connecting exhibitors with industry decision-makers; and, B2B Matchmaking Sessions fostering direct engagement and collaboration. The conference portion of QTM 2024 focused on three distinct themes; ‘Meaningful Experiences: Highlighting cultural heritage and experiential tourism;’ the ‘Future of Travel: Exploring innovations in sustainability, technology, and skill development;’ and, ‘Sports and Health: Examining the growing sectors of health, wellness, and sports tourism.’ These discussions underscored the industry’s shift towards sustainable practices, technological integration, and the rising demand for authentic, culturally rich experiences. The event featured a diverse range of keynote speakers, panel discussions, and exhibition showcases that brought together industry leaders and professionals to share insights and discuss the future of travel and tourism. Key takeaways included emerging trends in sustainable tourism, technological advancements, and cultural tourism, with Qatar positioned as a leader in these areas. Furthermore, the exhibition provided a platform for international and local exhibitors to showcase their products and services, offering innovative tourism solutions and forging meaningful business partnerships. The pre-activation event for QTM 2024, was held at the luxurious Hilton Salwa Beach Resort, and a set the stage for what promises to be a landmark year for the event. This exclusive networking gathering brought together 150 distinguished invitees, including representatives from Katara Hospitality, Visit Qatar, and hosted buyers. Attendees enjoyed a tour of the stunning Hilton resort, an international lunch, and breathtaking sunset views. The evening culminated with a networking session at the Royal Villa, where guests experienced the rich tapestry of Qatari culture through traditional elements such as the majlis, henna artists, and camel interactions, alongside various entertainment offerings. Building on this momentum, and held at the prestigious Raffles Hotel in Doha, the VIP reception of QTM 2024 celebrated the remarkable efforts of tourism authorities focused on enhancing visitor experiences, as well as exhibitors committed to enriching attendee engagements. The event was attended by distinguished representatives from organizations including Visit Qatar, Katara Hospitality, WLO, WTACH, as well as the embassies of Morocco, Korea, and Thailand. The event’s success was bolstered by key partnerships, including; ‘Strategic Partner: Visit Qatar’; ‘Founding Partner: Katara Hospitality’; and, ‘Title Sponsor: Visit Morocco’. These collaborations played a crucial role in elevating QTM 2024’s global profile and fostering international cooperation in the tourism sector. Katara Hospitality, as a ‘Founding Partner’, also played a pivotal role in showcasing Qatar’s luxury tourism offerings, including exclusive stays at world-class properties, high-end dining experiences, and luxury amenities, through their iconic properties and culturally immersive experiences. They also emphasized Qatar’s cultural heritage by presenting unique Qatari hospitality experiences. “Katara Hospitality has achieved another year of success at QTM, and made significant strides in promoting Qatar as a world-class destination and leading hub for tourism and hospitality industry. We are full of pride and gratitude to all of the partners, exhibitors, and attendees of this year’s stellar event, as we continue to elevate Qatar’s position on the global stage.’’ They continued: “Building on this year’s success, plans for the 4th edition of QTM are already underway, where the organizers aim to further expand the event’s international reach, introduce new themes, and strengthen Qatar’s position as a leader in tourism innovation.” By Katara Hospitality. Mr. Rawad Sleem, Co-founder and General Manager of NeXTfairs, the organizers of QTM, commented on the event’s success: “QTM 2024 has exceeded our expectations and we’d like to take this opportunity to thank all our patrons, partners, sponsors, exhibitors, speakers and guests, who make this event the pivotal platform in catapulting the tourism industry forward. This year’s success and expansion
Qatar Travel Mart 2024 announces strategic partners and sponsors ahead of the largest tourism event in Qatar
Held under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar Doha, Qatar – November 18th, 2024: The highly anticipated Qatar Travel Mart (QTM) 2024 is set to officially launch later this month, with the event organizers announcing the strategic partners and sponsors who will play a key role in making this year’s edition the largest and most impactful to date. The event will take place from November 25-27, 2024 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC), and promises to be a landmark exhibition for the travel and tourism industry, both regionally and globally. The highly anticipated third edition of QTM is organized by NeXTfairs for Exhibitions and Conference, with the support of the Prime Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI). Visit Qatar has been confirmed as the ‘Strategic Partner’, ‘Katara Hospitality’ as the ‘Founding Partner’, and Visit Morocco as the ‘Title Sponsor’ of QTM 2024, reinforcing their commitment to supporting Qatar’s growing tourism sector. Their involvement highlights the importance of collaboration in driving forward Qatar’s ambitious tourism vision for 2030. “Katara Hospitality is honored to return as the founding partner of QTM for the third consecutive year, a partnership that underscores our unwavering commitment to shaping the future of luxury hospitality in Qatar and beyond. This event provides an invaluable platform to showcase our vision of excellence, innovation, and cultural heritage, while strengthening Qatar’s position as a premier global destination. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Nextfairs, Visit Qatar, and all key stakeholders for their exceptional collaboration and shared dedication to the growth and success of Qatar’s tourism industry. Together, we are building a legacy that will inspire future generations and elevate Qatar’s role on the world stage,” by Katara Hospitality. Mr. Rachid Hamzaoui, MNTO Middle East and India Director said, “Morocco is proud to be the title sponsor of QTM 2024, an opportunity to further strengthen the ties between Morocco and Qatar, particularly with the celebration of the Qatar-Morocco Years of Culture 2024, which highlights the shared cultural values and historical bonds between our two nations. The partnership with QTM, part of our “light in Action” strategy, underscores our unwavering commitment to promoting Morocco’s rich heritage and diverse tourism offerings, while fostering deeper cultural connections. We look forward to sharing our unique experiences and exploring new opportunities for collaboration with industry leaders at this prestigious event.” Furthermore, QTM 2024’s industrysupport is further recognized with global partners; the World Leisure Organization (WLO) as ‘Conference Partner’, World Tourism Association for Culture and Heritage (WTACH) as ‘Association Partner,’ as well as AMFORHT, who are the World Association for Hospitality & Tourism Education & Training, as ‘Association Partner.’ This year’s QTM will feature an expanded exhibition space of 15,000 square meters, allowing for more exhibitors and networking opportunities than ever before. With over 60 participating countries, 300 exhibitors, and an expected attendance of 12,000 visitors, QTM 2024 is set to surpass previous editions in terms of scale and impact. The exhibition will showcase seven dedicated sectors: Business, Leisure, Luxury, Medical, Cultural, Sports, and Halal Tourism. A main highlight of QTM 2024 will be the comprehensive conference component, featuring three distinct themes across three days: These themes align with Qatar’s National Vision 2030 by promoting sustainable development and positioning the country as a premier global destination for both leisure and business travel. As the fastest-growing tourism destination in the Middle East, the country’s efforts to drive forward the tourism goal to welcome more than 6 million visitors a year by 2030 have resulted in strides being made, as according to the latest World Tourism Barometer by UN Tourism, Qatar is one of the strongest performers in January – July 2024 (147% versus 2019)[1]. There will also be the Global Village, where attendees can immerse themselves incultural showcases from around the world while experiencing Qatar’s vibrant heritage firsthand. Rawad Sleem, Co-founder and General Manager of NeXTfairs said: “The announcement of our strategic partners and sponsors for QTM 2024 marks a significant milestone as we prepare for the largest edition of the event to date. Their invaluable contributions not only underscore the importance of collaboration in driving the future of Qatar’s tourism sector but also reflect our shared commitment to elevating Qatar’s position as a premier global destination. At NeXTfairs, we are excited to showcase the expanded scope of QTM 2024, which will provide unparalleled opportunities for networking, knowledge sharing, and business growth. We look forward to welcoming industry leaders from around the world to experience firsthand how Qatar is shaping the future of travel and tourism, as well as the invaluable support of the H.E. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI).” QTM 2024 will offer unparalleled opportunities for business networking through its Hosted Buyers Program, bringing together hosted buyers from around the world. In addition, B2B matchmaking sessions will enable exhibitors to engage directly with key decision-makers in the travel industry. With its focus on fostering partnerships, sharing knowledge, and exploring emerging trends such as sustainable tourism and experiential travel, QTM 2024 is poised to be a transformative event for all participants. For more information and registration details, please visit QTM’s website https://www.qtmqatar.com/. Alternatively, follow the event via X, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn or YouTube.
