Qatar Tourism & Exhibitions Authority launches new worldwide strategy

Qatar is already known as a hub of business innovation. Qatar Tourism and Exhibitions Authority is educating travellers on the country's exclusive leisure and cultural attractions, as well as the independent spirit and progressive orientation that makes Qatar unique. Qatar is the bridge between the Arabic traditional heritage and global innovation.

Speaking at a press conference at the Exhibition Centre, Mr. Ahmed A. Al Nuaimi, Chairman of Qatar Tourism & Exhibitions Authority, outlined Qatar's tourism strategy. The basis of the strategy is to grow the tourism industry in Qatar by 20% in the next five years. This will be delivered through a variety of methods including attracting travellers flying through Doha. An estimated 50 million passengers will come through the New Doha International Airport when it opens in 2012. QTEA is targeting 5% of these passengers to stay an extra 48 hours in the country past their initial scheduled time.

Qatar already boasts existing exhibition space of 15,000 sq m, two new convention and exhibition centres, totalling more than 95,000 sq m, will be added by 2011.These centres will make Qatar a leading destination for international business and conferences, attracting further visitors to Qatar.

In addition, Mr Al Nuaimi outlined an increase in investment of $17bn over the next five years on tourism infrastructure making Qatar even more attractive to visitors. This includes the construction of luxury hotels, resorts and other leisure facilities, totalling a 400% increase in hotel capacity up to 29,000 rooms by 2012.

As Mr Ahmed A. Al Nuaimi, Chairman of Qatar Tourism & Exhibitions Authority, commented:

"Tourism in Qatar has a strong business focus but we want visitors to also take advantage of our unique leisure attractions. In Qatar, we do not seek to be a location for mass tourism, rather we are focused on presenting our country as a world class destination, with high-quality services."

New Logo

Unveilling Qatar Tourism and Exhibitions Authority's new identity exclusively to the Qatari media yesterday Mr. Al Nuaimi outlined the thinking behind the new logo explaining how the logo represents Qatar's independent spirit.

QTEA has created a seal that represents Qatar's role in bringing worlds together : business combined with leisure, authenticity joined with advancing technology, globalization meeting with independence.

This new logo is clean and modern, yet anchored in traditional Arabic designs. The sealing wax represented in the logo connects different ideas and suggests an unexpected and alluring variety of sights, sounds, fragrances, tastes and textures that will be revealed to visitors.

Lines emanate and converge from different directions, symbolizing a unification of people and experiences, as well as a source of inspiration and enlightenment. All are joined under a proud, strong and unique Qatari seal.

The new logo and brand identity is to be officially launched at the World Travel Market in London next week. At this global travel industry event, QTEA will be presenting Qatar to the world highlighting that Qatar offers a spirited world of enjoyment, relaxation & discovery - all in 48 hours.