UK tour operators joined Qatar Tourism’s first “mega travel trade fam trip” earlier this month as the destination showcased its attractions ahead of the Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022.
The tourist board hosted 236 tour operators from 29 countries for a three-day itinerary in partnership with Qatar Airways and Discover Qatar, the airline’s destination management company.
The trip featured a tour of the capital Doha; sand dunes leading to Khor Al Adaid, known as the Inland Sea; Katara Cultural Village; and Msheireb Downtown, claimed to be the world’s first fully sustainable downtown regeneration project.
Other highlights included a tour of the National Museum of Qatar, and Doha Design District, home to design and art galleries, showrooms, shops and international restaurants.
Philip Dickinson, Qatar Tourism’s international markets vice-president, said: “We are delighted to welcome so many of our travel trade partners from around the world to experience first-hand the wonders of Qatar.
“Qatar Tourism’s overarching goal is to welcome more than six million international visitors a year by 2030, which would make Qatar the fastest growing destination in the Middle East.
“We recognise the importance of working closely with our international partners to realise this ambition and are grateful for their ongoing support.”
As well as the UK, operators on the trip came from Austria, Australia, Benelux, Germany, Nordics, France, Italy, Japan, Korea, Poland, Gulf countries, Russia, Spain, Turkey, Ukraine and the US.
The visit coincided with the debut Qatar Travel Mart, at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (November 16-18).