Qatar Travel Mart 2021 concludes; 2nd edition slated for next year

Qatar Travel Mart (QTM) 2021, organised by NeXTfairs for Exhibitions and Conferences, closed with remarkable results of dramatic numbers of business leads and deals generated and record-breaking footfall.QTM was honoured to have the presence of HE the Minister of Municipality Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Subaie and Qetaifan Projects managing director Sheikh Nasser bin Abdulrahman al-Thani to visit the show. Both extended their support for efforts to boost Qatar Tourism before international partners, exhibitors, and countries attending the show’s first edition. They also lauded the huge number of visitors present from all over the world.The highlight of the inaugural edition of QTM 2021 was the talks and panel discussions in the event’s high-profile three-day conference, covering topics, such as what the future holds for travel and tourism. Industry experts shared their experience to give the visitors insights and knowledge about upcoming trends in travel and tourism. The event’s Hosted Buyers’ Programme, involving 24 influential buyers from 15 countries, including Germany, Russia, France, Malaysia, Turkey, Sweden, Denmark, and the US was successful, landing 860 B2B meetings and ensuing profitable deals for those attending.QTM 2021 achieved such all-around success that a second edition of QTM is slated for 2022. Sponsors and partners, exhibitors and visitors alike backed up the show’s success with their commentsQatar Tourism Chairman and Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive HE Akbar al-Baker said, “As one of the driving forces behind Qatar’s expansion and progress in recent years, Qatar Airways Group is delighted to support the Qatar Travel Mart 2021 as an excellent opportunity to unite the local travel and leisure sector and showcase our nation’s unique cultural heritage and vision for the future of Qatar as a tourism destination.”Andrew Humphries, acting CEO of Katara Hospitality, said: “Tourism is a vital pillar of Qatar National Vision 2030 and at Katara Hospitality, we have long understood its importance in our quest for excellence within the sector. We have seized every opportunity to foster and promote the country to pass on an outstanding legacy for future generations.”Rawad Sleem, co-founder and general manager of NeXTfairs for Exhibitions and Conferences, said: “The facts and figures speak for themselves. With visitors’ numbers topping 6,300 and 860 B2B meetings generating major deals with DMCs and tour operators, reaching millions, we are delighted with the huge success of the first QTM.”