Qatar is developing faster than ever before with a premium tourism product that is sure to set new benchmarks for luxury and exciting activity options At a time when meeting and incentive planners are finding that unique destinations with a first-class infrastructure are fewer and further between, Qatar is a country that fits the bill, and is further developing a tourism product to rival any in the region. 2006 is a definitive year for the country, as Qatar will bask in the global limelight with the hosting of the Asian Games 2006, the first Middle Eastern country to do so. Undoubtedly, this sporting event will bring an unprecedented level of awareness to the country, its hosting abilities and will showcase all that it has to offer visitors. More Photos

Tourism in Qatar is still in its infancy, although it is set to grow very quickly thanks to the investment of billions of dollars by the government to develop its tourism infrastructure and introduce new and innovative attractions. Meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions are clearly within Qatar’s sights as one of the government’s main targets. With 560 kilometres of coastline and 200 kilometres of beaches, amazing natural wonders such as the inland sea, state-of-the-art infrastructure, welcoming people and traditional Arabian hospitality, the country has much to offer meeting planners and conference organisers. The first and most logical steps taken by Qatar to lure the MICE sector have been to dramatically expand current hotel and conference facilities, while packaging the country’s cultural and heritage product, and developing its outdoor experience travel industry. This has matured significantly, offering visitors an enviable range of options for business and pleasure. Accessibility of the destination’s attractions is the key to its tourism success. Not only is Qatar a country with so many activities and places to see packed into a small area, but it is also within easy reach of Europe, Asia and North Africa, with direct flight links to most major airports through the national flag carrier, Qatar Airways. Located halfway along the west coast of the Arabian Gulf, Qatar has so far only scratched the surface of the travel and tourism market, and it still remains to a certain extent an undiscovered treasure, combining the charm of any Arabian destination along with its own distinct characteristics. Political and economic developments are factors that have brought Qatar into the limelight. A proactive, forward-looking regime has moved the country up a gear, both developing tourism and making it easier for tourists to enjoy what it has to offer: a safe and stable environment, relaxing entry requirements and enabling a broader base of people to travel easily to and from Qatar. The opportunities presented by the travel and tourism industry were fully recognised as recently as 1995, the year of accession of the present Emir, HH Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa-Al Thani – a ruler who rapidly installed a forward-thinking government which brought about some fundamental political changes. These included limited democratic reform, improved rights for women, the most liberal press in the region, and an outward looking attitude that welcomes interaction from abroad. Cosmopolitan and relaxed, Qatar has led the way for the region to become a more open society, and yet still be true to its culture and traditions. Qatar’s vast natural gas reserves provide the foundation for the country’s extraordinary wealth, and they promise to keep providing for many more years to come, being the second largest natural gas reserves in the world after Alaska in the USA. Despite this natural fortune, the Qatari government realises that diversification of the economy is still a more prudent approach to ensure a long-term healthy economy, providing for many future generations. With this in mind, the tourism industry has received unparalleled support in recent years. However, Qatar clearly doesn’t want to herald mass tourism. The country’s relative small size and population means that it is the government’s intention to focus on niche, high-net worth markets, of which MICE forms an important element. http://www.experienceqatar.com

The Qatar International Exhibition Centre is a purpose-built international exhibition facility, which offers an up-to-date venue that is ideal for any event. With an indoor and outdoor exhibition area, complemented by state-of-the-art infrastructure, the centre has hosted many successful events such as Milipol Qatar, Oil & Gas Exhibition and Petrochem Exhibition. The success of events such as World Tourism Day, the ensuing National Tourism Conference in September 2005, World Travel and Tourism Global Summit held in Doha in 2004 has proved Qatar’s ability to host large international conferences and events. The annual return of major sporting events and the continued addition of new international-standard sports and entertainment have drawn world attention to the country. Outstanding sporting events, such as the 15th Asian Games, PGA Golf Qatar Masters, Tour de Qatar Cycling championship, Qatar International Rally and Qatar MotoGP have greatly increased the nation’s prominence in the world media. A variety of international companies have also chosen the destination as their venue of choice for conferences and incentives, especially since the range of five-star hotels has increased dramatically, with others to open their doors within the next few years. This is in addition to the excellent golf courses, which also have clubhouse facilities and encourage incentive groups to enjoy their hospitality. The world-class facilities present in the country have gone a long way to changing the international perception of Qatar as a place for productive and memorable incentive trips. With its acclaimed national carrier and superb assortment of luxury hotels, Qatar is now able to host business meetings, incentive groups, conferences and exhibitions in surroundings that combine some of the most beautiful landscapes, superlative service and hospitality into a single destination.

However, the need to offer world-class facilities in order to attract high-net worth incentive visitors has not detracted the desire to preserve its history and heritage, and the mysterious and alluring Arabian culture is omnipresent. After all, it is the mystique of Arabia that attracts many visitors to the region and what makes an incentive trip here unique. The result is an eclectic mix of old and new with imposing buildings that epitomise innovation, rubbing shoulders with ancient forts and mosques. Visitors can enjoy the comfort of being able to shop in gleaming malls where all manner of designer brands are on offer, along with evocative ancient souks that hint at a pattern of life that hasn’t changed for thousands of years. The combination has been a dramatic success, and it is the most often cited reason for hosting MICE events in Qatar. This meeting of the old and the new maintains the balance perfectly between the progressive nature of the government and desire to preserve cultural values. Visitors who wish to see ancient Arabian charm need only step outside their hotel and do some exploring among the old quarters of the city or take a trip around the country itself. The history of Qatar has mainly revolved around the Bedouin – a proud and primarily nomadic people with a strong tradition. When coming to the Gulf it is always worth the time and effort to explore the Bedouin culture, and a trip to the Qatar National Museum is highly recommended. The Middle Eastern souk is often the most evocative and fascinating of images, particularly for Western visitors, and a trip to any of the souks in Qatar is a rewarding experience. Haggling over price is always the norm, and is done so in good humour. Even for visitors with no intention of buying anything, a walk around the souks to take in the sights and sounds is an experience in itself. Some time spent watching other shoppers expertly haggle in sometimes theatrical demonstrations in order to get the best price is sure to amuse. Qatar also remains one of the best places in the world for bargains on designer brands and electrical items. The capital Doha has several large shopping malls, including the largest in the Gulf – City Center Doha, which also includes a 15,000-square-metre exhibition level that incorporates the latest audiovisual technology for meetings, conferences and exhibitions. Despite the range in temperature throughout the year, reaching 50 degrees Celsius in midsummer, Doha is also home to several large parks that visitors can enjoy as well as a surprising number of museums, a zoo, and an Arabian stud farm at Al Shaqab. This is an incentive trip that never fails to impress; the stud farm is owned by the Emir and houses purebred Arabian show and racing horses. Visits to the stud farm can be arranged in advance, offering the chance for visitors to speak with world-class trainers and managers about the world of international racing and breeding.

Unique to Qatar is the Weaponry Museum, displaying a selection of items used in times of war dating back to the 16th century. Viewing of the collection is by appointment only, but it can also be visited as part of an organised tour. The exhibition features an amazing array of gold and silver swords, daggers (khunjars), as well as other weapons and armour from the region. Priceless paintings and photographs are also included in the collection. Many visitors are fascinated by the beauty and commanding aspects of the Arabian forts found in the region, and Qatar is home to many. A tour around the island can take in numerous forts that add a historical edge to any trip. Among the more well known is Marroub Fort, Al Thugb Fort, Al Koot, Al Zubara and Umm Saal Ali. For those wishing to explore more of Qatar’s archaeological past, it is worth taking trips to Al Khor, which is also north of Doha, where ruins of an ancient mosque can be found. This was also the centre for the pearl diving industry until the 1940s – the mainstay of the economy at the time. An archaeological museum chronicles the history of the region. If simply racing through amazing sand dunes is more the desire, there are plenty of local tour companies, which specialise in providing visitors with an adrenaline rush – whether it’s racing up and down dunes in four-wheel-drive vehicles or sand skiing. The recent phenomenon of eco-tourism has also not been missed in Qatar. The government is very much aware of the environmental impact of tourism and is keen to encourage visitors to enjoy the outdoors in a responsible manner. Qatar is well-known for its inland sea, which offers a spectacular sight as it flows through the centre of the desert like an enormous river, with 60-metre-high sand dunes along its shores.

Being surrounded by pristine waters, it should come as no surprise that diving and snorkelling are very popular activities, and Haloul Island is definitely worth including on a trip. Renowned for its coral reefs, there are numerous multi-coloured fish to view and a variety of coral species. For ornithologists there are a variety of birds to watch in Qatar, from osprey to flamingos, gulls and terns – many of which can be seen feeding off shoals of fish that can be found in the area. Meanwhile, the national emblem of the country – th e Oryx – is found in the west of the country, and has enjoyed a remarkable comeback from the threat of extinction. The Oryx now live and breed in protected herds and tours can be arranged to see them at the Oryx Farm in Shahaniya. The farm is privately owned, but organised visits are welcome and provide an educational incentive trip into the preservation of one of the country’s most beautiful animals. Visitors can also enjoy the privilege of witnessing the arrival of the endangered Hawksbill Turtle, which live in the waters around Qatar. Every year hundreds of the turtles come ashore to lay their eggs on certain beaches within Qatar and on its territorial islands. These breeding locations are actually protected by the government, but visits can be arranged as part of organised trips by approved tour companies.

When it comes to sports, visitors to Qatar are spoilt for choice. Not just with the facilities available, but also with the international sporting calendar that has Qatar marked for a variety of top-class events. Best known perhaps is the European PGA Golf Tournament, The Qatar Masters, which is held annually at the Doha Golf Club and has welcomed top players such as Greg Norman and Justin Rose. The ATP Qatar Tennis Open also receives extensive media coverage every year and has brought the likes of Boris Becker and Tim Henman to Qatar’s shores. Motor racing has also received a boost with the completion of the state-of-the-art racetrack just outside the capital, where the Qatar MotoGP takes place. Qatar is currently at a stage of rapid expansion, and it is expected that many new developments will add to the growing choice for incentive tour operators to choose the country as an ideal Gulf base for their clients. The country is investing heavily in advanced sporting facilities in time for its hosting of the Asian Games in 2006, and the new airport is being constructed at a cost of over US$5.5 billion. Add to this the many new hotels that are due to open, the world-class golfing, culture, marine sports, beautiful landscapes and hospitable people; Qatar should remain high on any incentive tour operator’s list as the ideal destination in the Gulf. Pictures taken from Qatar Embassy in Washington, D.C. Back to Homepage