QT events to promote Qatar as leading tourism destination post-World Cup

A mix of all the events organised by Qatar Tourism (QT) after the FIFA World Cup 2022 will 'keep the momentum moving on' to promote the country as a leading tourism destination aimed at attracting more visitors, Qatari Investors Group (QIG) CEO Joseph Abdo has said.
Speaking on the sidelines of a recent event on board MSC World Europa, Abdo observed that Qatar’s tourism industry is in an ascending trend as it continues to receive an increasing number of tourists post-World Cup and post Covid-19 pandemic.
“Many are now coming to Qatar, they didn’t have the chance to attend the World Cup but they are coming here to see where the final has happened, where Messi won,” he said.
Abdo added that people want to visit several popular places in Qatar such as Souq Waqif, Msheireb Downtown Doha, and the stadiums, among other destinations in and outside Doha, and “this is good for the tourism, this is what we call the momentum post-World Cup”.
The QIG CEO pointed out there is a huge desire for people from different parts of the globe to visit and experience Qatar, which raised the bar and successfully organised a major sporting event, and what it has to offer.
This, Abdo said, has built a brand for Qatar, which showed a high sense of responsibility and professionalism in organising the event, in addition to the high level of safety and security throughout the World Cup.
He added that the scheduled events in Qatar this year such as the Formula 1, AFC Asian Cup, and other major sports competitions, as well as cultural events and entertainment shows, will further boost the country’s tourism.
“In between, you have some artistic events that are happening and these are always good, a mix between culture, sports, social, and business also, which will help attract more tourists,” Abdo said.
Citing the key role of cruise tourism in bringing more visitors to the country, he noted that by the end of this cruise season (running from November to April), around 200,000 passengers have come to Qatar.
Abdo cited a growing number of cruise passengers from Qatar as more people become aware of the product that cruise ships offer.
“We started at 150 to 200 and now we reached 920 (for MSC). A good average today is around 600 to 700. We see it increasing because people are more and more aware of the product. Now with this agreement, we are going to increase the awareness through social media, the contacts that we have with key companies,” he added.