Qatar’s high standing in the global arena was once again recognised and applauded when a recent report in South China Morning Post said that Qatar ranks “highly with planners as locations for hosting business meetings and corporate events”.
The report said that with the increase in visitors from Asia in recent years, some of the global meetings, incentives, conventions, exhibitions (MICE) destinations have redirected their focus from the US and European markets to Asia for growth. Among them, Qatar in the Middle East and Austria in Europe have become more prominent with their improved tourism infrastructures and marketing efforts.
This is the testimony of Qatar’s efforts to achieve accomplishments irrespective of some hardships occurred after the unjust siege imposed on Qatar by some countries. The Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) has pushed through the difficult times and implemented its agenda without any hurdles.
In Qatar, business events have seen an average annual growth rate of 36 percent over the past five years. “Qatar is taking steady steps towards positioning the country as an attractive destination for business events in the region by capitalising on its easy access, growing event management services, and expanded exhibition capacity and transport network,” says Ahmed Al Obaidli, Director of Exhibitions, QTA, according to South China Morning Post.
QTA said it would organise 130 business events this year that will definitely boost its already well-established strategy of attracting more businesses and people to the country. It conducted about 120 events last year.
According to the official estimates, the contribution of business events sector to the nation’s gross domestic product is about 2.3 percent. It will add business to booming hotel industry and related hospitality sector in a big way.
It’s a well-known fact that Qatar has some of the most sophisticated convention and exhibition facilities around the world. The report highlighted the facilities of Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) and Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC). QNCC features a multipurpose 4,000-seat conference hall, 2,300-seat theatre, and three auditoria and a number of meeting spaces. The centre offers 40,000 sqm of column-free exhibition space over nine halls, which can provide seating for up to 10,000 delegates. Another jewel in the Qatar’s crown is DECC, located at the heart of Doha’s commercial district. Opened in 2015, it covers an area of 90,000 sqm to include five vast, pillarless halls, capable of seating over 34,000 visitors. Its 18-metre-high ceiling is the highest in the Middle East.
Qatar’s rich cultural and heritage sites and other tourist attractions also provide unique venues for business events.
The commendable and far-sighted decision of launching visa-free entry to some 80 nationalities and the announcement of offering several attractive stopover packages by Qatar Airways have also contributed in showcasing Qatar as a destination of attraction.
