On October 7th, Qatar Tourism hosted a significant event, graced by the presence of His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs. The gathering brought together key stakeholders, including industry partners, ministers, ambassadors, and VIP guests, all with the shared goal of outlining Qatar’s ambitious tourism roadmap.
The event kicked off with remarks from His Excellency Mr. Saad Bin Ali Al Kharji, Chairman of Qatar Tourism and Head of the Board at Visit Qatar. He underscored the pivotal role of the tourism sector in the nation’s economic diversification strategy, crucial for fostering sustainable growth. Al Kharji outlined Qatar Tourism’s forward-looking vision and strategic plan, emphasizing a commitment to boosting the sector’s competitiveness through investments in essential infrastructure and a supportive environment. These initiatives are strategically aligned with Qatar National Vision 2030, focusing on its four foundational pillars.
Al Kharji also highlighted Qatar Tourism’s dedication to facilitating private-sector involvement and addressing challenges that could hinder the sector’s growth. This approach aims to enable the tourism sector to play a substantial role in advancing national goals, solidifying Qatar’s position as a premier global travel destination.
Following this, Eng. Abdulaziz Ali Al Mawlawi, CEO of Visit Qatar, delivered opening remarks, emphasizing Visit Qatar’s crucial role in marketing the nation and promoting a diverse range of entertainment and business events. He discussed Visit Qatar’s efforts to develop attractions and diversify Qatar’s events calendar, all aimed at reinforcing the country’s status as a world-class tourist destination.
Eng. Al Mawlawi announced the recent launch of Visit Qatar as the main marketing and promotional arm of Qatar Tourism. This mandate aims to strengthen Qatar’s position as a premier, family-friendly, and safe tourist destination. The ultimate objective is to increase international visitor demand in Qatar by showcasing its rich culture, diverse offerings, and exceptional events. Al Mawlawi highlighted Visit Qatar’s multi-faceted approach, which includes launching global campaigns, hosting world-class events, and implementing a strategic market focus, all aimed at achieving the 2030 tourism objectives.
At the event, Visit Qatar unveiled its latest global campaign, “Surprise Yourself,” designed to invite families, couples, and friends to experience unexpected connections and create lasting memories in Qatar. This campaign differentiates Qatar by highlighting the country’s unique experiences, ranging from the tropical beauty of Banana Island to the cultural charm of Souq Waqif. “Surprise Yourself” has been launched across 15 international markets through multiple channels, including television, social media, digital platforms, press, and outdoor advertisements.
A refreshed version of Visit Qatar’s popular stopover campaign, set to debut in mid-October, was also presented. This campaign showcases the incredible sights and experiences available within 24 hours in Qatar. Additionally, a dedicated campaign targeting Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries will launch in mid-October, inviting regional visitors to experience the best of Qatar.
Sheikha Hessa Al Thani, representing the Marketing Planning Department, provided insights into how Visit Qatar’s campaigns are strategically designed to present Qatar’s rich cultural heritage and exceptional hospitality to diverse audiences. This overarching strategy focuses on establishing Qatar as a premier global tourist destination by crafting innovative and tailored travel experiences, reflected in the campaigns and digital offerings. These efforts highlight the seamless integration of Qatar’s heritage with modern advancements, particularly in infrastructure and hospitality, to offer visitors an exceptional experience. The Visit Qatar website and mobile app further enrich the visitor experience by allowing travelers to create customized itineraries.
Looking ahead, Visit Qatar is preparing for an exciting winter season filled with prominent international sports and cultural events. Key highlights include the return of Formula One, vibrant activities at Sealine, and concerts featuring renowned regional and international artists. The Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition and the Qatar International Food Festival are also set to return. In 2025, Qatar will welcome back major global events such as the Web Summit and the Arab Cup. With a proven track record of hosting high-profile events across exhibitions, festivals, forums, and sports, Qatar is solidifying its reputation as a destination for unforgettable experiences.
The revamped Qatar Calendar provides residents and visitors with a comprehensive guide to events across the country, detailing dates, times, and locations. As a central platform for event listings, it offers a convenient way to explore what’s happening nationwide. Events are promoted through Visit Qatar’s website, mobile app, social media, print materials, press releases, and more. This calendar is the result of Visit Qatar’s collaboration with various stakeholders, offering a detailed monthly overview of events in Qatar.
Eng. Ahmed Hamad Al Bin Ali from the Festivals & Events Department emphasized Visit Qatar’s mission to boost tourism by attracting both regional and international visitors through a range of exhibitions, festivals, forums, sports tournaments, and cultural events throughout the year. Qatar’s event calendar boasts over 600 events, from lively summer festivals to cultural celebrations for Eid and Ramadan, ensuring there’s always something to suit every taste and occasion.
Dr. Buthaina Al Janahi from the PR and Communications Department expressed appreciation for the media and stakeholders who play a crucial role in advancing Qatar’s tourism sector and raising its global profile. She stressed that the primary goal of Qatar’s PR and communication efforts is to convey an authentic representation of the country, showcasing its rich heritage and diverse tourism offerings, known for quality and innovation. Dr. Al Janahi reaffirmed Qatar’s commitment to collaborating with partners on local, regional, and global scales, as well as engaging in international media partnerships to promote the country’s cultural heritage alongside its state-of-the-art hospitality services.
Concluding the event, Mr. Omar Abdulrahman Al Jaber highlighted the significance of continually evolving Qatar’s tourism sector, viewing it as a vital and sustainable industry responsive to global trends and events. Qatar Tourism is dedicated to providing visitors with an exceptional experience from arrival to departure, driven by a commitment to service excellence. He shared that preparations are underway for the Michelin Guide 2025, scheduled for release at the end of the year, as well as the second annual Qatar Tourism Award in collaboration with the World Tourism Organization, which will honor outstanding contributions in hospitality and tourism. Mr. Omar emphasized that developing Qatar’s tourism sector is integral to strengthening the national economy and achieving sustainable growth. Qatar Tourism remains committed to advancing this sector, achieving its ambitious goals, and fulfilling its purpose as a global tourism leader.
