Industry minister opens 5th edition of Hospitality Qatar

HE Ali bin Ahmed al-Kuwari, Minister of Commerce and Industry, and HE Akbar al-Baker, Secretary-General of Qatar National Tourism Council (QNTC) and chief executive of Qatar Airways Group, inaugurated the 5th edition of Hospitality Qatar at Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre yesterday. The “biggest tourism and hospitality event to date in Qatar” is being held in support of the country’s efforts to accelerate world-class projects in the lead-up to the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the organisers have said in a statement. The event, which aims to strengthen Qatar’s position as a leading global destination for hospitality, leisure and recreation, is organised annually by IFP Qatar and held in partnership with QNTC for the second consecutive year.The event is welcoming visitors eager to engage with 228 exhibitors and seven international pavilions from 33 countries. Leading innovative events are taking place throughout the three days, including new exhibition zones, a highly targeted B2B programme, an educational certified conference and training sessions, and Salon Culinaire’s lively events and activities, the statement notes.The exhibition aims to help local, regional and international companies explore emerging opportunities in the hospitality industry in Qatar, bringing together hotel operators, food service providers, investors and industry experts from across the region, the official Qatar News Agency (QNA) reports. Speaking to reporters after the inauguration, HE the minister stressed the importance of Hospitality Qatar to highlight the great opportunities offered by the country in the hospitality sector, especially as the current edition of the exhibition is witnessing the large participation of countries and companies.Noting that the national products featured in the event highlight the efforts exerted in this regard by the local sector, HE the minister said the ongoing exhibition can be considered one of the best editions of Hospitality Qatar due to the large participation and the events lined up. HE al-Kuwari added that Hospitality Qatar also highlights the efforts made and opportunities available in the hospitality sector in Qatar and is an opportunity to display products and the relevant equipment in one place, QNA adds.In a statement, Ahmed al-Obaidli from QNTC said Hospitality Qatar is one of the most important exhibitions focusing on the business events sector, especially that the fifth edition is the largest ever and witnesses the participation of 15 countries. He added that the exhibition features various kinds of specialised equipment pertaining to the hospitality sector, in addition to activities such as cooking competitions and other important events - all of which will help promote the event.Haidar Mshaimesh, general manager of IFP Qatar, the organiser of Hospitality Qatar, said: “We are proud to have reached new milestones as we unravel the activities taking place at Hospitality Qatar. We are set to witness another successful gathering of leading companies and organisations keen to leverage their expertise during these three days and offer new solutions to fast-track the developments in Qatar’s tourism and hospitality sector. “We are confident of the success of the fifth edition as we continue to enhance the experiences of exhibitors and visitors alike and contribute to the efforts to attract more tourists in the country.”This year’s edition of Hospitality Qatar looks to expand its reach with the addition of new features such as a dedicated exhibition zone, ‘Destination Pavilion’, sponsored by Qatar Airways. The exclusive pavilion is showcasing the many destination points to which the airline flies.  Also, Hospitality Qatar, in association with the Luxury Trade & Marketing Group, is showcasing a ‘Luxury Tourism’ dedicated area featuring innovative technologies, services, solutions on luxury tourism and eco-friendly concepts.Hospitality Qatar’s signature events, which include Salon Culinaire in partnership with Qatar Culinary Professionals, also started on the first day and visitors were enthralled by the various new dishes presented during the show, the organisers said, adding that the live cooking competitions are attracting big audiences as food connoisseurs watch how gourmet dishes come to life right before them. The Qatar Barista Championship, sponsored by Corona, “teases coffee and tea lovers with the enticing aroma of these warm beverages presented by the country’s finest baristas”. Various aspects of the hospitality industry, such as hotels and facilities, interiors and design, entertainment and leisure, travel and tourism, resorts and outdoor landscape, Horeca (hotel/restaurant/café) technologies and equipment, ecologically-friendly hotel systems and solutions, and food and beverages options, will continue to be showcased through related products and services at the event until tomorrow, from 1pm- 9pm.