Under the Patronage of the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, H.E. Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani

Qatar Travel Mart 2021 launches new B2B matchmaking and lead retrieval program for hosted buyers and exhibitors, and gathers momentum as more countries, key industry players, VIPs and speakers commit

Minister of Commerce and Industry, H.E. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Bin Qassim Al-Abdullah Al-Thani, to inaugurate the exhibition

Attracting 34 regional and international countries and 148 exhibitors from all over the world

Qatar Travel Mart (QTM) 2021, organised by NeXTfairs for Exhibitions and Conferences, has launched a new B2B digital matchmaking platform to help generate rewarding new business deals between hosted buyers and exhibitors.  QTM has made significant progress with new countries, Russia and Tajikistan, attending, increasing the number of committed countries to 34.  New sponsors from key industry players now include Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy as Founding Sports Partner, Mowasalat as Official Transport Partner, JW Marriott Marquis City Center Doha as Hotel Partner and Elite Motors as Silver Sponsor.

The high-level Opening Ceremony will be inaugurated by Minister of Commerce and Industry, H.E. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Bin Qassim Al-Abdullah Al-Thani, with a ribbon cutting, followed by a VIP tour of the exhibition. VIPs attending the Opening Ceremony will include representatives from Katara Hospitality, Qatar Tourism, Discover Qatar, Qatar Airways Holidays, Qatar Airways, Qatar Aviation Authority, Al Fardan and Ambassadors from Poland, Germany, Tanzania, Spain, Korea, Greece, KSA, Egypt, Mexico, Tajikistan and Thailand as well as other international organizations and local official entities.

The exhibition is under the Patronage of the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, H.E. Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani.  In addition to the new sponsors, the event’s Strategic Partner Qatar Tourism is joined by Katara Hospitality as Founding Partner, Qatar Airways as Official Airline, and Discover Qatar & Qatar Airways Holidays as Founding Leisure Partners. Amadeus is the event’s Technology Partner, Retaj Hotels & Hospitality the Gold Sponsor, Gulf Adventures the Silver Sponsor and Asfary the Featured Partner. Association Partners includes The World Association for Hospitality and Tourism Education and Training (AMFORHT), World Leisure Organisation (WLO), and World Tourism Association for Culture & Heritage (WTACH).

Berthold Trenkel, Chief Operating Officer of Qatar Tourism, stated: “As strategic partners of Qatar Travel Mart, we are eager to facilitate conversations between sector partners. At Qatar Tourism, we are committed to promoting the destination globally. Our recently launched promotional campaign, ‘Experience a World Beyond’ introduces new audiences to the variety of our offering, while leveraging our digital platforms. Collaborating with stakeholders, we are working towards developing new tourism products and services and ensuring that every visitor touchpoint is rooted in Service Excellence.”

Andrew Humphries, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Katara Hospitality said: “Our participation at Qatar Travel Mart presents yet another opportunity for Katara Hospitality to display its diverse portfolio of iconic hospitality gems located in key global travel markets, as well as our quest for excellence within the sector. It is an honor to be among the global hospitality giants showing their product offering at this esteemed travel trade event.”

“Tourism is a vital pillar of Qatar’s National Vision 2030 and we, at Katara Hospitality have long understood its importance and have taken every opportunity to foster and promote the country to leave an outstanding legacy for future generations,” he added.

Nigel Fell, President & CEO, World Tourism Association for Culture & Heritage said: “The Qatar Travel Mart 2021 (QTM21) will bring together people, places and cultures from around the world to forge new relationships, build lasting friendships and create new and innovative opportunities that will re-ignite the global tourism landscape. The World Tourism Association for Culture and Heritage (WTACH.org) is proud and honoured to be part of the esteemed and pioneering event. We look forward to seeing you there!”

“We are delighted for being the Official Hotel Partner of Qatar Travel Mart 2021,” said Esra Parin, General Manager, JW Marriott Marquis City Center Doha. “As a luxury hotel brand by Marriott International, we are committed to deliver elevated experiences to our guests and QTM is a perfect platform for us to showcase our expertise to the travel industry and beyond.”

34 regional and international countries are now attending the event, represented across 14 national pavilions, such as Visit Britain, Korea National Tourism Organisation, ENIT – Italian State Tourism Board, Visit Rwanda and Dominican Republic Tourism Board. 148 leading travel & tourism industry companies have signed up to exhibit and these include airlines, hotels & resorts, DMCs, cruise lines and transport companies to name a few.

Rawad Sleem, Co-Founder and General Manager of NeXTfairs for Exhibitions and Conferences, explained: “We are delighted with the progress we have made with the first Qatar Travel Mart as new countries, new sponsors, and prominent VIPs are committed to attending and we are grateful to the Minister of Commerce and Industry, H.E. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Bin Qassim Al-Abdullah Al-Thani for inaugurating the event. Particularly exciting is the launch of our new B2B Matchmaking Programme between Hosted Buyers and exhibitors which promises to provide lucrative new business opportunities for all concerned. We are also delighted to see over 12 countries have committed to enacting vibrant cultural performances in the Global Village to celebrate their country’s heritage.”

He continued: “We are especially proud that QTM is fully supporting Tourism, a key priority for Qatar’s economy, and providing a real boost to the revival of the sector after the pandemic.”

The event’s high-profile three-day Conference will cover what the future holds for travel and tourism and a CEO Panel Discussion will focus on Behavioral Changes of Consumers and Hiring and retention of Employees in the Travel, Tourism and Hospitality Industry.  The great line up of high-profile travel & tourism experts from around the world as speakers will now include Nigel Fell – President & CEO of The World Tourism Association for Culture and Heritage (WTACH), Philippe Francois – President of the World Association for Hospitality and Tourism Education and Training (AMFORHT), Dr Cristina Ortega Nuere – Chief Scientific and COO of the World Leisure Organization, Florian Sengstschmid – CEO of Azerbaijan Tourism Board,  Emad Abu Jalala – CEO Gulf Adventures, Dr Ivan Ninov – Executive Dean of Al Rayyan International University College (ARIU), Sergey Sukhanov – CEO of Corporation Tourism, RF, JSC, Nuno Anahory – Chairman of Forum Portugal Qatar, Dr. Hussain Sunny Umar – Managing Director of Maldives Halal Travel Guide, Nick Wilkinson – Regional Vice President of the Norwegian Cruise Line, in addition to other keynote speakers.

The event will also feature a Hosted Buyers’ Program, involving influential buyers from 15 countries including England, Germany, Russia, France, Malaysia, Turkey, Sweden, Denmark and the USA to network with exhibitors and close profitable deals. 

A three-day media familiarisation trip for international media is being organised to showcase the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ stadiums and many of Qatar’s famous cultural sites and attractions, as well as to experience Qatar’s impressive hospitality landmarks. The International Media Partners are truly cosmopolitan and come from India, Malaysia, UK, China, Dubai, Canada and Russia.

The exhibition is expected to attract more than 7,000 visitors over the three days from 16-18 November 2021 at the DECC.  These will comprise international Tourism boards, national & regional Tourism offices, airlines, tour operators and hoteliers to travel agents. Others represented include health service providers, halal tourism, policy makers, corporate travel, investors, academics, travel technology providers, MICE operators, cultural and educational bodies, entertainment and families.

The inaugural edition of QTM 2021 has now achieved even more support from government, international and regional sponsors, stakeholders, partners, Tourism boards and associations, which bodes well for its efforts towards reviving the industry both in Qatar and globally.