Qatar Airways gold sponsor at Business Travel Show Dubai 2008

The airline's award-winning five star product and service, including a display of its long-haul business class seat were showcased on the airline's stand during the two-day show.

The airline supported the inaugural Dubai Business Travel Show last year as gold sponsor and continued its commitment to the event following the strong emphasis Qatar Airways places on the corporate travel sector.

The exhibition, specifically aimed at buyers and bookers of business travel, took place at the luxurious Madinat Jumeirah Arena and offered a comprehensive Educational Conference programme with informative interactive sessions on diverse industry-related topics.

As a founding partner of the Business Travel Show Dubai, the award-winning Five Star carrier was part of the programme covering the latest industry developments and trends in the corporate travel sector.

Among representatives from well-known hotel brands, Travel Management Companies (TMCs) and travel agencies, Qatar Airways' European Corporate Sales Manager, Jo-Anne Lloyd attended several sessions organised by ACTE (Association of Corporate Travel Executives) and the regional travel trade publication, Arabian Travel News.

Although the panel discussions were dominated by the potential impact of the global economic slowdown, most panelists agreed that there was still strong demand for business travel in the Middle East and that the region had enormous potential to benefit from the downturns in other parts of the world.

"As Qatar Airways is an international carrier flying to more than 80 destinations, our network is well-balanced and we are profiting from regions experiencing an economic boom", said Jo-Anne Lloyd, Qatar Airways' European Corporate Sales Manager.

In addition, despite companies taking a closer look at their travel policies, she highlighted that comfort and convenience through high frequencies, well-developed infrastructure and services targeted at business travellers' needs remain a key factor for corporates when sending their employees on business trips.

Qatar Airways caters strongly to the requirements of corporate travellers with industry leading business products such as the Premium Terminal for its First and Business Class passengers at Doha International Airport.

The Doha-based carrier launched a new corporate travel rewards programme for small- and medium-sized businesses across Qatar at the beginning of the year. The Qbiz programme, designed to ensure company's travel budgets go further with added value services, facilitates companies with limited travel budgets to maximise their savings when travelling with Qatar Airways.

Under the new programme, when employees travel with Qatar Airways, their companies will earn Privilege Club Qmiles which, in turn can be used to redeem free flights and secure upgrades with the airline. Since its launch in February 2008, the programme has been very successful and is set to be rolled out across Qatar Airways' other markets worldwide. To join Qbiz and for further information, visit www.qatarairways.com/qbiz

Qatar Airways operates a young and modern fleet of 63 Boeing and Airbus aircraft serving 83 cities across Europe, Middle East, Africa, South Asia, Far East and North America. It currently has outstanding orders for more than 200 aircraft worth over $30bn.