Qatar Motor Show 2017. at DECC. Baher Amin © The Peninsula
Building the capacity of local companies and promoting the country’s world-class venues are among Qatar Tourism Authority’s (QTA) main strategic thrusts to further enhance exhibition and business events as an important tourism sector, said a QTA official.
“We are focusing on building capacity for local companies to host and maintain events in such high standard. We are also focusing on venues like Doha Exhibition (DECC) and Convention Center and Qatar National Convention Center (QNCC) which can host events of this magnitude,” Saif Al Kuwari, Director of PR & Communication at QTA told The Peninsula on the sidelines of the ongoing Qatar Motor Show (QMS) 2017.
Big events such as the QMS, Al Kuwari said, also provides an opportunity to showcase on the global stage the country’s capacity to host through its world class venues. “Any visitor that comes here and see how the centres are laid out and what are the facilities like will be an ambassador for us. This is one of the things that we are focusing on in terms of bringing in more visitors to Doha,” he added.
Al Kuwari underlined the huge potential tourism presents as the country looks to diversifying its economy. “The economic impact of tourism in Qatar is 8.8 percent of the total non-hydrocarbon GDP which is quite good for a country like Qatar that relies most of its income on hydrocarbon,” he noted.
Asked on what car enthusiasts can look forward to the future editions of QMS earlier announced to be a biennial event after next year, Al Kuwari said: “They can expect more attention to details. They can expect bigger participation because it will be easier for car dealers to participate.”
On its seventh edition, QMS 2017 has seen the participation of 27 brands spread on a 12,000sqm exhibition space showcasing 110 vehicles, some of which have marked their local and regional reveal at the show.
The show which concludes today at the DECC, also includes a 5,000sqm exhibition space dedicated to classic cars exhibition of some of the rarest and most iconic pieces in the world presented by the Sheikh Faisal Museum, Mawater and Al Fardan. Wrapping up the show today are a pick-up classic trucks parade by Mawater and a stellar performance on the Doha Corniche by Batabit, a center that aims to build a generation of responsible riders, in addition to a number of competitions.
