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 international locations 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 unbelievable World Cup, with ground-breaking statistics and memorable experiences for followers. Guests had a good time each on and off the pitch. The compact dimension of the occasion benefited followers, groups, and the media, which made it simpler for folks to journey and see quite a few matches in a day. India got here in second solely to Saudi Arabia in phrases of match attendance.
According to FIFA, the whole 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 match final yr.
Despite the utilization of digital screens, viewership elevated by round 11% in India all through the primary 48 matches and by 51% throughout the first 19 matches. Aside from the official match areas, Doha’s Fan Festivals has seen over 2 million guests for the reason that match started. India has been one of the highest international locations in phrases of FIFA World Cup TM funding.
TD: Post the World Cup, what have you ever completed to maintain the momentum of tourists’ rising?
PD: Ahead of the match, lots of new initiatives opened to accommodate and entertain the visitors. Apart from the 150 new accommodations 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 pageant 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 various buying, industrial and residential space is ready 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 accommodations, premium lodging and world class services.
Corinthia Yacht Club: The non-public membership presents unique invitation-only membership, the primary of its variety in Qatar.
West Walk: West Walk is Doha’s latest city life-style 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 services to create the best live-work-play setting.
Other than these, a number of seashores & seaside golf equipment, artwork and tradition sights, and buying 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 major occasions are lined up for 2023 and 2024?
PD: Qatar is well-equipped to accommodate any sort of company occasion, from a small assembly of 10 to a conference of 1000’s. The choices and preparedness of Qatar, types the essence of our MICE tourism technique.
Every lodge 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 provide state-of-the-art services and nice flexibility to tailor the venue to their wants and save on set-up prices; as well as, Qatar is dwelling to a number of neighborhood 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 help program which is obtainable to Corporates. Our illustration places of work in every market actively help commerce companions with queries and data. Furthermore, the nationwide provider Qatar Airways presents the QMICE program below 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 international locations are your major 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 anticipated 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 doubtless to rise. The GCC area is a big 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 international locations 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 major supply markets.
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TD: How simple 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 international locations, 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 essentially the most open nation within the Middle East. The visa utility course of for all different nationalities is easy with the refreshed Hayya platform. The nationwide provider, Qatar Airways, connects Doha to greater than 160 locations throughout six continents.
TD: What can Qatar provide 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 energetic participation in highway reveals, networking occasions, and commerce reveals 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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