B2B travel events specialist Connections Luxury has celebrated the success of its flagship Middle East event, which was held for the first time in Doha, Qatar.
The event was held in partnership with Visit Qatar, with 300 decision-makers in luxury travel completing more than 1,500 meetings over three days. The event is set to return to Doha from March 29 to April 1, 2026.
Delegates attending Connections Luxury Middle East included global luxury travel sellers and buyers from key markets, with a focus on the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and India.
Guests were selected from a community with a combined $7.8 billion in annual spending power, and participated in networking receptions and targeted one-to-one meetings with immersive cultural activities.
Premium event locations included Waldorf Astoria Doha Lusail, which also hosted buyer representatives, Raffles Doha, Fairmont Doha, SUSHISAMBA and The Highmore. Delegates also visited the Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum, where they met with Sheikh Faisal and explored his car collection and 30,000 international artefacts.
Key partners included XO Private, Preferred Hotels & Resorts and Small Luxury Hotels of the World, which supported alongside destination partners Visit California, Visit Britain and Azerbaijan Tourism Board.
Jassim Al Mahmoud, Visit Qatar director of PR & communications, said: “Hosting Connections Luxury Middle East in Doha reaffirms Qatar’s position as a premier destination for high-end travel. With world-class hospitality, cutting-edge infrastructure, and a deep cultural heritage, Qatar offers an unmatched luxury experience for visitors.
“This event is an important platform for forging meaningful partnerships and expanding Qatar’s presence in the global luxury tourism sector. From luxury resorts and boutique hotels to exclusive shopping, fine dining, and curated cultural experiences, Qatar continues to attract discerning travellers seeking authenticity and sophistication.
“We look forward to welcoming more visitors and partners as we strengthen our reputation as a leading hub for luxury tourism.”
Gregory Reeves, managing director of Connections Luxury, added: “We are proud to have brought our flagship Middle East event to Qatar for the first time, and excited to further show the power of this destination in 2026.
“This event underscores Qatar’s rising status in the luxury travel market. With its exceptional offerings, welcoming five million international visitors in 2024 and targeting six million in 2030, Qatar is the ideal destination to foster meaningful connections and uncover new opportunities for our community.”
Connections Luxury is part of the portfolio of Jacobs Media, which also owns brands including Travel Weekly, Aspire and The Caterer.