doha_qatar

MEET THE CULTURE

Almost 90% of the 2.6 million inhabitants of Qatar, a country in the Persian Gulf, live in Doha. The flourishing coastal capital is one of the fastest growing cities in the world. Qatar is ruled by the Al Thani dynasty under the current emir Tamim bin Hamad, who, at the age of 34, is one of the youngest monarchs in the world. He is continuing the work of his famous father, Hamad bin Khalifa, who ruled from 1995-2013 and pulled Qatar from anonymity and elevated it to the country with the highest GDP per capita.

A few years ago Qatar also began to focus on the development of congress tourism. In this area it is not satisfied with being average, but rather is aiming to attract the best in the world to its shores. The country believes that congress tourism is important for the development of a healthy and sustainable society.

DID YOU KNOW?
People from at least 87 different nationalities live in Qatar.
Qatar is a multicultural country. Over the years there has been an increase in the number of nationalities living in the country.

Qatar National Vision 2030
When rich deposits of oil and gas where discovered in Qatar in 1949, rapid economic and politic development began. As there is an awareness that natural sources are limited, a strategic development plan has already been prepared. By the year 2030 Qatar wishes to thoroughly reform the country and make it sustainable and technologically advanced. In doing so the country does not wish to lose its Arab traditions and culture, which remain an important part of all projects. Doha currently resembles a huge construction site, where new and magnificent buildings are growing at a phenomenal rate. In the future, the city wishes to become an international centre for tourism, finance and development. The ambitious agenda is based on four pillars: Economic, Human, Social and Environmental Development. Congress tourism is a kind of interdisciplinary link between all four pillars and is therefore an integral part of the strategy.

Doha – a multicultural capital
Qatar has an exceptionally diverse ethnic structure. Approximately 300,000 of its population are Qataris, and the remainder of the up to two million inhabitants are people who have come to this desert city to seek a better life. A huge number come from India, Nepal, the Phillipines and Egypt, whilst there are only very small numbers of Europeans. The majority of male muslims wear white garments (thobe), and women wear black robe-like dresses (abayha). The working week begins on Sunday and ends on Thursday. It is necessary to take this into consideration when planning any events in Qatar.

A regional cultural centre
Doha is considered to be one of the most lively and diverse cultural centres in the whole region. The capital city, Doha, has been investing heavily in building a network of cultural institutions in the past 15 years, in order to become that leader in this field in the Gulf. Within the last decade, thanks to sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the sister of Qatar’s ruling emir, Qatar Museums was founded, which has brought together numerous museum institutions.

One of the country’s key projects is the new National Museum of Qatar, which was designed by the architect Jean Nouvel and is due to be opened at the end of this year. It is located on the site of the Amiri Palace, where the predecessor of the museum once stood. Visitors to the musem will be able to learn about the creation of the original city, the modernisation of Qatar, and the country’s cultural achievements.

Spectacular architecture
The city currently resembles a huge construction site, where some of the world’s best architects are realising their plans. Every year there are a number of spectacular new buildings, which impress lovers of architecture. In addition to the aforementioned National Museum, last year the Qatar National Library was opened, which was designed by the Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas. The Museum of Islamic Art is the work of the architect I. M. Pei, and one of the football stadiums for the 2022 Fifa World Cup was designed by Zaha Hadid. The majority of congress guests will be impressed by the exceptional architecture of the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC), which was designed by the Japanese architect Arata Isozaki. The facade, which is reminiscent of a Sidra tree – a tree that offers shade to Bedouins in the desert – is a stand-out feature.

Al Jazeera
One of the most well-known Qatar institutions has gained credibility mainly by reporting about the Arab Spring, which exceeded all ratings records. Al Jazeera began broadcasting from its studios in Qatar in the mid 1990s, and has since expanded to Turkish-speaking areas and the Balkans. It could be said that, in addition to oil and gas, Al Jazeera is one of Qatar’s most successful export items.

Qatar hosts numerous sports events
In the past decade Qatar has established itself as a top destination for sports events. In 2019 it will host the World Athletic Championships. Its greatest achievement to date was when it was awarded the right to host the 2022 Fifa World Cup, for which nine new football stadiums are being built. A year later, the world’s best swimmers will gather in Doha for the Swimming World Cup. According to Thani Al-Kuwari, general secretary of the Qatar Olympic Committee, by 2022 the country will have 99% of the facilities required for the organisation of a summer Olympic games and it could run for candidacy as early as 2028.

Air transport accessibility as a cornerstone of congress tourism
In 2013 Qatar’s Hamad airport opened. It is an ultra modern, five-star airport that can handle up to 40 million passengers per year. Together with one of the world’s best airlines, Qatar Airways, it is the cornerstone of the development of congress tourism. Qatar Airways is one of the fastest growing airline companies in the world with the most modern fleet. It pays 30 million euros per year for its logo to be displayed on the shirts of Lionel Messi and his fellow players at Barcelona. Today, Doha is connected with 150 destinations, whilst Qatar Airways has developed its own QMICE programme, which is a one-stop shop for events organisers. The programme offers organisers numerous benefits and facilitates arrival in the country.

qatar-airways

DID YOU KNOW?

Visa-free entry to Qatar
In August 2017 Qatar announced that citizens of 80 countries no longer require a visa to visit the country. This move has made Doha become an even more attractive destination, also for flight stopovers. It is a 15-minute drive from the airport to the city, where those on a short stopover can see the interesting promenade and the souk, whilst those on a longer stopover can take a trip to the desert dunes.

Why is Qatar a new, fresh and top-notch congress destination?

In the past decade this rich Arab country has invested huge sums of money in the construction of congress infrastructure and has rapidly established itself on the world congress map.

The framework of the congress facilities comprises 51 four- and five-star hotels, which together offer 14,996 hotel rooms. Of this, 34 are five-star hotels, and among them are all the big names that are of significance in the hotel world. Almost all the hotels also offer smaller congress centres, therefore when choosing, it is more about the style of hotel. It is, however, only right to mention the first among the congress hotels, the legendary Sheraton Doha Resort & Convention Hotel, which was the pioneer of congress tourism in Doha and whose pyramid structure is an icon among hotel buildings. The convention centre offers 26 congress halls, the largest of which can accommodate up to 3,000 attendees. The paradise garden, which is ideal for holding receptions and carrying out incentive programmes, is of particular interest for events organisers.

The first large, new investment in the international breakthrough was construction of the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC), which, from a technical perspective, is considered to be one of the most advanced convention centres. It covers a total area of 47,700 km2, which extends over five halls. The DECC has the largest hall in the city, which can accommodate up to 7,300 attendees and has 2,800 parking spaces. The 19-metre-high ceiling is a particularly striking feature, making it sufficient for even the most demanding of productions.

Qatar’s newest acquisition is the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC). The ultra modern centre can rightfully be classified among the best in the world, both for its technical equipment and excellent functional design. The core of the centre are the multifunctional hall for 4,000 attendees with its exceptional lighting, and the plenary hall for 2,300 attendees with its remarkable acoustics. In addition there are 52 breakout rooms, which are suitable for the organisation of practically all types of corporate events. A further 40,000km2 of exhibition area in nine halls is available. Following its opening, the centre immediately became the focus of congressional events.

In Qatar there is no shortage of exceptional venues. The majority of museums are also suitable venues for the organisation of events and offer special experiences. In combination with tradition and customs, interesting incentive programmes can be arranged, which can range from sports and active to culture and luxury.

Among the special venues, the following are particularly interesting:

  • The Al Shaqab Equestrian Centre is is an enduring tribute to the Arabian horse and the tradition of equestrian excellence that has co-evolved with this breed in Qatar
  • The Al Zubarah Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site comprising extensive archaeological works
  • The Aspire Zone Sports was built to host the 2006 Doha Asian Games. The complex offers an ideal venue for large scale health and sports-oriented events
  • The Doha Golf Club is a championship golf course with state-of-the-art conference and banquet facilities
  • The Katara Cultural Village is a purpose-built beachfront development designed to bring culture and entertainment together in a single location
  • The Museum of Islamic Art is an iconic building prominently located on the Corniche waterfront that provides a stunning variety of high end venues for all corporate events.

The facilities are complemented by an entire network of DMC, PCO and other support agencies that are able to prepare even the most demanding congress programmes.

All providers are connected with the Qatar Tourism Authority, which ensures that the path of the congress industry is aligned with Qatar’s 2030 national development strategy and follows international trends.  Hidden beneath the surface of the development of congress tourism is an excellent idea about connecting it with culture, which is the driving force of development in Qatar. It has to be said that they have succeeded in creating exceptional synergy. This is what mainly distinguishes Doha from its more developed neighbours in the Gulf. Personally, I believe that this is the right formula for success and Kongres magazine will gladly continue to monitor the development of this Gulf congress destination, where events are spiced with unmatched Arabic hospitality.

DOHA INDIVIDUAL GRADES 2017

A. Natural and cultural factors: 4.65

In Qatar and Doha, visitors are impressed by the genuine Arabic culture which is part of the Bedouin tradition and the lifestyle of locals. Despite modernisation, this is ubiquitous and is another factor that distinguishes Qatar from its neighbours. The country’s culture can currently be experienced in seven museums, and there are plans to open a further 20 in the future. This will make Qatar a real mecca for lovers of culture. A genuine experience of Arabic culture is a key element of attraction which, for Europeans, is further complemented by its exotic desert landscape and pleasant winter temperatures.

B. General and transport infrastructure: 4.78

Doha’s ultra modern airport is a sign of its efficient and well-functioning transport system. The quality of Qatar Airways is attested by numerous awards. Key European cities are 5-6 hours away by plane. The transport network is excellent and is not overly crowded. Taxis are very cheap, since the price of petrol is almost equal to that of water. Construction of the Doha Metro, which will connect all the city’s main points along four lines, is of exceptional importance to the congress industry. The first phase of the project is scheduled for completion in 2019, with completion of the second phase due by 2026.

C. Tourist infrastructure: 4.82

Its hospitality, oriental-style comfort, sea and desert are attracting ever more tourists to Qatar. The range of hotels is already exceptional, and in the future construction of a further 300 hotels is planned. It is possible to holiday in Qatar year-round and, in combination with cultural and historical attractions, Qatar is becoming an important tourist destination. By the year 2030, it is foreseen that tourism will already reach 8% of the country’s GDP.

D. Meetings infrastructure: 4.84

According to representatives of Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA), the congress industry is positioned highly among its strategic development projects. The entire industry is already fully developed today, enabling the organisation of the most demanding events. There are also superb functioning connections with scientific research institutues such as the Qatar Foundation, Qatar University, Qatar Science and Technology Park, and Qatar Museums. All these place Qatar among the most attractive new congress destinations in the world.

E. Subjective grade: 4.70

Qatar is among the fastest growing global economies and has also invested heavily in the development of the congress industry. This is reflected both in the area of infrastructure and the increasingly fascinating events calendar. The vision of connecting the congress industry with educational, scientific research and creative industries is impressive. It is also a fact that Qatar’s congress industry is a success story and a top-quality and well-oiled congress  machine, which is hard to find elsewhere in the world. This is why its way to the top of the congress world is guarantee

F. Marketing buzz 4.81

The essence of Qatar’s congress industry is promotion and the fact that the country has a desire to become the leader in the world. Online marketing includes all the tools that bring results. Since budgets are not a particular problem, Qatar is increasingly present at congress events and in the media1

MTLG INDEX / 2019 EDITION

DESTINATION CAPACITY

  • The number of 4* and 5* category hotel rooms: 14,996
  • The number of 4* and 5* category hotels: 51
  • Banquet hall maximum capacity: 9,744
  • The largest hall in the city (in m2): 29,035 m2
  • Destination population: 1,351,000
  • Maximum hall capacity in theatre style: 14,517

COMPARISON WITH THE REGION

Congress organisers in Qatar have uncovered a simple formula for long-term development. Investment in infrastructure + excellent air accessibility + authenticity and culture, are rapidly launching it among the world’s leading congress destinations.

There are few organisers who are not tempted to peek into the background of stories about this mysterious Arab country – many of which are reminiscent of the modern fairytale about One Thousand and One Nights. Thanks to its Middle Eastern charm, friendly people, magnificent congress hotels, sun, sea and exceptional congress infrastructure, Qatar is becoming an increasingly popular congress destination – one that is highly recommended.

COOL MEETINGS

HAREES –  a dish similar in consistency to porridge made of boiled or ground wheat, meat and butter. It is a well-known dish in the GCC and very popular during the Holy Month of Ramadan, Eid and other festive occasions. Cinnamon and cardamom are most often used as a garnish.

BEST INCENTIVE IDEA:

Desert Adventures
For a heart-stopping roller coaster ride over rolling sand dunes, try a 4×4 off-road safari.

Or have a go at camel riding, sand boarding or driving a dune buggy. Daytime, evening and overnight camping trips can all be arranged. Several tour operators have Bedouin-style camps in the desert. Many safaris take in the spectacular ‘Inland Sea’ and offer the chance to enjoy glorious desert sunsets and moonlit barbeques.

 

MTLG CATEGORY

XL  MEETING DESTINATION

Destinations that can host over 2,000 congress attendees.

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