File photo of crowd at Qatar Motor Show 2017
DOHA: The emergence of Qatar as a regional leader in hosting high-profile conferences, exhibitions and other meets has also boosted the country’s aviation sector. These events attract visitors from across the globe, which has helped in increasing business for airlines.
“Hosting of high-profile events has a positive effect on airlines. We have got a lot of customers who are coming exhibitions in Doha. Whenever there is an event or exhibition or any other such activity, there is always demand as the people are coming from different countries to attend these events. It is good for all the airlines and for the aviation sector as a whole,” Mazin Ahmed Al Salmani, Commercial Director of Salam Air told The Peninsula.
Business events such as exhibitions and conferences alone contribute 2.3 percent of Qatar’s total gross domestic product (GDP) to its economy, according to the Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA).
“We have seen a trend of high demand for air tickets before the exhibitions and conferences. Such events play a crucial role in bringing international visitors to Qatar,” a senior official of a travel agency told The Peninsula.
“These events not only help airlines’ business to grow, but also benefit the local economy. Most of the times, these visitors go for a tour of local markets and famous tourist spots. Hotels are the other major beneficiary of these events as they host visitors and participants,” he added.
QTA aims to further increase the number of foreign business visitors and travellers to Qatar, as part of its effort to attract 5.6 million tourists by 2030. Qatar has hosted many important event in the first 10 months of this year while many other events will be organised in the coming months.
The stage is set for the 48th FIG World Artistic Gymnastics Championships 2018 which will be held from October 25 to November 3 at Aspire Dome. Over 700 gymnasts from 78 countries will compete at state-of-the-art venue Aspire Dome.
Like wise, the 13th conference on “Enriching the Middle East Economic Future” will held in cooperation with the Center for Middle East Development (CMED) University of California- Los Angeles. The conference will be held from October 30 to 31. It will be attended by over 300 delegates representing more than 40 countries and organisations.
Other events hosted this year saw huge participation. The high-profile ‘The Big 5 Qatar’ expo, which was held in September, witnessed participation of over 240 companies from over 20 countries.
The International Products Exhibition and Conference (IPEC) 2018, was another successful event which saw participation of over 360 companies from 11 countries.
Similarly, the Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition (DJWE), held in February this year, featured more than 400 brands from over 10 countries in its 15th edition.
