The put up MICE to contribute 20% for Qatar’s 2030 goal of 6 million tourists annually appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily.
Qatar efficiently hosted the 2023 World Cup; the nation can also be set to host the Grand Prix 2023 Formula 1 and 2023 MotoGP Grand Prix in October and November 2023. GCC nations contribute to 60% of international outbound tourism and what’s much more attention-grabbing is the truth that these travellers contribute to 75% of whole worldwide tourism expenditure from the Middle East.
In an interview Philip Dickinson, VP- International Markets, Qatar Tourism, shares extra.
Travel Daily (TD): As the primary Middle Eastern nation to host the World Cup, Qatar, how was the response and the way have the vacationer numbers grown? Can you make clear statistics?
Philip Dickinson (PD): It was a implausible World Cup, with ground-breaking statistics and memorable experiences for followers. Guests had a good time each on and off the pitch. The compact measurement of the occasion benefited followers, groups, and the media, which made it simpler for individuals to journey and see quite a few matches in a day. India got here in second solely to Saudi Arabia in phrases of event attendance.
According to FIFA, the entire stadium attendance was 2.45 million, with a median rise of 96% occupancy in every recreation. Over 60,000 Indian followers travelled to Qatar for the event final yr.
Despite the utilization of digital screens, viewership elevated by round 11% in India all through the primary 48 matches and by 51% through the first 19 matches. Aside from the official event areas, Doha’s Fan Festivals has seen over 2 million guests because the event started. India has been one of the highest nations in phrases of FIFA World Cup TM funding.
TD: Post the World Cup, what have you ever achieved to preserve the momentum of tourists’ rising?
PD: Ahead of the event, rather a lot of new initiatives opened to accommodate and entertain the visitors. Apart from the 150 new inns that the world cup spectators lived in, the nation opened varied different sights and has a mixture of occasions lined up to launch and inaugurate.
Some of the brand new sights which have opened embody:
Lusail Winter Wonderland; For the primary time ever, the world-famous Winter Wonderland competition arrived on Qatar’s shores.
Al Maha Island: Al Maha Island options high-end eating places together with Zuma, LPM, Billionaire and Carbone.
Lusail Boulevard: Located within the coronary heart of Lusail, this dynamic and numerous purchasing, industrial and residential space is about to change into the Champs-Elysees of the Middle East.
Qetaifan Island North: A definite attraction that includes a state-of-the-art waterpark, luxurious inns, premium lodging and world class amenities.
Corinthia Yacht Club: The non-public membership presents unique invitation-only membership, the primary of its type in Qatar.
West Walk: West Walk is Doha’s latest city way of life neighbourhood, situated within the coronary heart of Al Waab. The neighbourhood is designed to meet the wants of fashionable residing by combining residential, retail, and leisure amenities to create the best live-work-play setting.
Other than these, a number of seashores & seashore golf equipment, artwork and tradition sights, and purchasing areas are set to open in Qatar within the coming years. The nation can also be set to host the Grand Prix 2023 Formula 1 and 2023 MotoGP Grand Prix in October and November 2023, respectively.
TD: What is the essence of your MICE tourism technique? As a vacation spot what are your choices for massive conferences? Which predominant occasions are lined up for 2023 and 2024?
PD: Qatar is well-equipped to accommodate any kind of company occasion, from a small assembly of 10 to a conference of 1000’s. The choices and preparedness of Qatar, kinds the essence of our MICE tourism technique.
Every resort within the nation presents one thing distinctive to company teams. MICE contribute to 20% of our 2030 goal of 6 million and we’re witnessing a gradual motion within the section. Some of the highlights embody – purpose-built venues that supply state-of-the-art amenities and nice flexibility to tailor the venue to their wants and save on set-up prices; as well as, Qatar is residence to a number of group centres and cultural websites which double up as unconventional assembly areas and occasion venues. Some of these are, Msheireb Downtown, Msheireb Museums, Zubarah Fort, Al Shaqab Equestrian Center, Lusail Boulevard and Museum of Islamic Art. Qatar Tourism additionally has a really sound subvention assist program which is obtainable to Corporates. Our illustration places of work in every market actively assist commerce companions with queries and knowledge. Furthermore, the nationwide service Qatar Airways presents the QMICE program underneath which companies can count on engaging fares for group actions to Qatar.
India’s MICE market has vital potential and is a key driver for Qatar. Qatar presents visa-on-arrival entry to Indian passport holders. In phrases of upcoming occasions, in 2023, Qatar hosted some large-scale Indian weddings, a number of company teams, and different grand occasions from India. The vacation spot has seen over 1 million guests within the first quarter of 2023 alone and has an thrilling line-up in place for the remaining of 2023 and 2024. The nation can also be set to host the Grand Prix 2023 Formula 1 and 2023 MotoGP Grand Prix in October and November 2023, respectively.
TD: Which nations are your predominant supply markets and what are the potential ones?
PD: According to knowledge given by Research and Markets, the GCC outbound journey and tourism trade is predicted to rise at a substantial CAGR between 2021 and 2028. With seamless connection, low-cost worldwide airfare, and journey packages, arrivals from the GCC into different locations are possible to rise. The GCC area is a major supply market for us together with India.
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is one of the world’s fastest-growing tourism supply economies and an exceptionally rewarding market for international tourism. GCC nations contribute to 60% of international outbound tourism and what’s much more attention-grabbing is the truth that these travellers contribute to 75% of whole worldwide tourism expenditure from the Middle East. Moreover, its 54-million-strong inhabitants presents additional potential. GCC travellers are famend to be excessive spenders. The GCC area, adopted by India are our predominant supply markets.
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TD: How straightforward or troublesome is it to get a visa to Qatar? Kindly throw mild on present air connectivity between Asian locations and Qatar?
PD: Qatar welcomes all travellers, and visitors from over 95 nations, together with India, can enter visa-free, for a interval of 30 days. The nation’s proximity is a median of 3-5 hours flight distance from wherever on the planet. Thanks to a number of visa facilitation measures, Qatar is now probably the most open nation within the Middle East. The visa software course of for all different nationalities is easy with the refreshed Hayya platform. The nationwide service, Qatar Airways, connects Doha to greater than 160 locations throughout six continents.
TD: What can Qatar supply to B2B (journey and commerce purchasers in Asia)? How are you planning to goal the B2B market?
PD: Qatar is making investments in promoting, incentive programmes, strategic industrial alliances, and efficient on-the-ground outreach together with lively participation in highway exhibits, networking occasions, and commerce exhibits at key supply markets.
The put up MICE to contribute 20% for Qatar’s 2030 goal of 6 million tourists annually appeared first on Travel Daily.
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