Qatar Travel Mart 2021 seen attracting major tour operators, travel agents

Qatar’s evolving tourism landscape has been attracting more agents and tour operators wanting to explore new opportunities being offered across different areas in the country, an industry stakeholder participating in Qatar Travel Mart (QTM) 2021 has said.Speaking to Gulf Times on the sidelines of QTM or the Qatar International Exhibition for Travel & Tourism, Tawfeeq Travel Group CEO Rehan Ali Syed noted that the current trend “is very positive.” “Hosting such a big event here has prompted major ‘fam trips’ and a lot of people from different markets, such as Italy, the US, and many other countries have come here, which is a very positive indication for Qatar.“All the agents and tour operators that we are meeting are very excited to look at Qatar because there has been a change in the different kinds of businesses happening all around. In Dubai, there are lots of things happening. But in Qatar, with so many opportunities available and new places opening up, everybody is keen to be here,” Syed stressed.According to Syed, “more importantly, FIFA is Qatar.” He explained that the World Cup has been a “big brand” for Qatar. “I’m sure that with the kind of arrangements going on, many people are expecting something phenomenal, which is going to happen in 2022. Adding to that, with Qatar hosting its first-ever Formula One Grand Prix just before the World Cup, that’s like cherry on the cake, so that’s fantastic to have that happening here, as well,” he said.Syed also lauded the statements delivered by Qatar Tourism Chairman and Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive HE Akbar al-Baker in his speech during the QTM opening ceremony.Al-Baker pointed out that tourism has “immense potential” to create a real positive impact across all the pillars of the Qatar National Vision 2030, creating new jobs, growing GDP, and diversifying Qatar’s economy.“The investments are going on and more people are trying to reach out to different countries. At Tawfeeq Travel, we are investing big time to develop the inbound business. We have changed our brand to ‘Tawfeeq Holidays’ for people coming in from abroad. We are participating with Qatar Tourism in going out to different markets to create more events about Qatar and get more visitors into the country,” he explained.Since quarantine policies are being relaxed, the travel and tourism sector “is getting much better,” said Syed, who also stressed the need for the safe reopening of borders and strict adherence to health and safety regulations when travelling.“Qatar has got lots to offer; I feel that with the current trend going on it will just pick up further. Also, the government is doing a good job to ensure the safety of citizens, residents, and the visitors coming to Qatar,” he said.On Qatar Tourism’s target of attracting 6mn international visitors annually by 2030 and to increase travel and tourism’s GDP contribution to 12%, Syed said these plans would benefit Qatar’s entire economy and will push the development of different sectors, such as retail, F&B, and hospitality, among others.