Qatar Tourism Authority attracts significant interest in Europe

Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) is drawing significant interest among buyers and travel professionals in the meetings, incentive, convention and exhibition (MICE) industry at the Global Meetings and Incentive Exhibition (EIBTM) in Barcelona.

EIBTM is the leading global event for the meetings and incentive industry, with over 3,300 exhibiting companies representing more than 80 countries presenting to 3,800 hosted buyers from 71 countries and more than 6,300 pre-registered trade visitors at this year's event.

Ms. Soha Moussa, Head of Promotions and Organizing Abroad Exhibitions for QTA described its participation in EIBTM as very successful, saying,


"Despite the current financial and economic environment, we have had some very good meetings with serious buyers at EIBTM. The buyers are high quality and are very focused. They know what they want and are asking very specific questions about organizing itineraries as well as venue and convention facility details. They are interested in Qatar as a new venue to consider for their events. Qatar offers a high quality destination with new state-of-the-art facilities, while preserving our unique Qatari culture and traditions."


In addition to pre-scheduled one-on-one appointments, Qatar Tourism Authority has been presenting Qatar to buyers and trade professionals during several group destination presentations.

"We are looking to arrange incentive trips to the Middle East, with something different in terms of activities to do and sights to see," says Ms. Linda Benwell, Managing Director of Millennium Travel, South Africa. "Since Qatar Airways flies direct to Doha from Johannesburg, organizing a stopover in Qatar for a few days, then on to Europe for example, makes it very convenient for planning an incentive trip."

Michael Bramsnas is the CEO and owner of The Competence Company (TCC) in Denmark. "We organize international business events for our clients from Denmark. After meeting with representatives from Qatar Tourism Authority at EIBTM, we are pleased with the wide range of what Qatar has to offer in terms of venues and facilities - from the hotels and convention centers to the museum."

Corporate event planners were also interested in Qatar as a 'new' destination venue for hosting events. Georgia Challis, Assistant Vice President, is in charge of Conferences and Events for Deutsche Bank. "I am here at EIBTM searching for some new venue ideas. Space and amenities are very important to me." Other corporate event planners were specific about hotel prerequisites for their events, and Qatar's broad range of quality hotels which adhere to strict facilities requirements "will meet their needs."

QTA and its co-exhibitors have had a steady flow of visitors to the pavilion. Ms. Diana Rizk, Events Supervisor for the Museum of Islamic Art commented: "We are very pleased with the meetings we have had. The buyers are interested in the Museum as a venue for dinners and other events, and are also interested in tours and the workshops as part of a daily activities itinerary."

Qatar Tourism Authority is showcasing the exceptional character of Qatar with the cooperation of hospitality and leisure companies representing the examples of high-quality standards Qatar has achieved to become an upscale MICE destination, including the Qatar National Convention Center, the Museum of Islamic Art and representatives from several luxury hotels and the top tour operators in Qatar.

Source:ameinfo.com/