Doha, Qatar – October 8, 2024: The third edition of Qatar Travel Mart (QTM) 2024 is poised to be the biggest and most impactful yet, showcasing significant growth and expansion from previous years. Scheduled for November 25-27 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC), this year's event is set to surpass all expectations. The highly anticipated third edition of QTM is organized by NeXTfairs for Exhibitions and Conference.

Held under the patronage and guidence of H.E. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, this year's theme, 'Discover Places, People and Cultures,' underscores QTM 2024's commitment to showcasing the diverse tapestry of global tourism offerings while highlighting Qatar's unique position as a premier travel destination. 

Eng. Abdulaziz Ali Al Mawlawi, CEO of Visit Qatar said: 'Visit Qatar is proud to be the strategic partner of the third Qatar eTravel Mart, this exhibition is extremely important to the sector, as it facilitates partnerships and investments in tourism opportunities, fosters awareness of the latest happenings in the industry and assist in creating solid networking opportunities across B2B and B2C entities. Visit Qatar recognizes the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) industry as integral to its strategic goals, after 'leisure,' MICE is the second most important pillar driving growth in Qatar's tourism sector. By investing in world -class facilities and venues we were able to host large-scale, global events, an important mean by which we will fulfil our objective of becoming the fastest growing tourism destination in the Middle East by 2030 and reaching 6 million visitors.'

QTM 2024 is set to be the biggest edition yet, featuring seven dedicated product sectors: Business, Leisure, Luxury, Medical, Cultural, Sports, and Halal Tourism. The event expects participation from 60 countries, 300 exhibitors, and 12,000 visitors across the three-day event, marking significant growth from previous years. To accommodate this expansion, the exhibition space has increased to 15,000 square meters. This expansion allows for a more comprehensive representation of the global travel industry and provides ample room for networking and showcasing. A key highlight of this year's event is the expectation of 300 hosted buyers. This program significantly enhances the business potential of the mart, facilitating high-value connections between exhibitors and serious industry buyers.

Rawad Sleem, Co-founder and General Manager of NeXTfairs, emphasized the event's growth: 'We are immensely proud to bring Qatar Travel Mart back for its third year, and we are deeply honored to have the distinguished support and patronage of H.E. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs. At NeXTfairs, our vision is to position Qatar as a global leader in conferences, exhibitions, and events. QTM 2024 exemplifies our commitment to this goal, serving as a pivotal platform that showcases our nation's unparalleled hospitality and dedication to excellence in the travel sector. We are passionate about creating unique and engaging programs that highlight Qatar's potential as a world-class destination for business events. Through QTM and our other initiatives, we strive to drive progress, shape the future of the industry, and contribute significantly to Qatar's National Vision 2030. Our team's unwavering commitment to excellence and attention to detail ensures that we deliver exceptional value, not just for QTM, but for all the events we organize, ultimately reinforcing Qatar's position as a premium destination for global business and tourism.'

The event's strategic partnership with Visit Qatar and its alignment with Qatar's National Vision 2030 ensure high-level industry and government participation, creating unique opportunities for business development and investment. Additionally, the hosted buyers program, B2B matchmaking sessions, and international conferences offer exhibitors and sponsors maximum exposure and engagement with key industry players. By participating in QTM 2024, companies can position themselves at the forefront of Qatar's thriving tourism sector and capitalize on the country's ambitious plans for growth and diversification in the lead-up to 2030.

Aligning seamlessly with Qatar's National Vision 2030, QTM 2024 emphasizes economic diversification and sustainable development. Tourism plays a crucial role in this vision, with significant investments being made to enhance infrastructure, attractions, and services to position Qatar as a world-class destination. Qatar's tourism sector has shown remarkable growth in 2024 already, with visitor numbers continuing to surge. In the first seven months of the year, Qatar welcomed 2.956 million visitors, representing a significant 26.2% increase compared to the same period in 2023. [1] The country received 317,000 tourists in July 2024 alone, marking a 10.2% year-on-year growth. 2

As the fastest-growing tourism destination in the Middle East, the country's efforts to drive forward the tourism goal to welcome more than 6 million visitors a year by 2030 have resulted in securing major events such as the Asian Games in 2030 and a 10-year partnership starting 2023 with Formula 1. Furthermore, in the tech sphere, Web Summit Qatar 2025, slated for February 23-26, is set to be the largest technology event in the world, attracting innovators, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders. These diverse and prestigious events underscore Qatar's commitment to positioning itself as a global hub for sports, technology, and cultural experiences, offering visitors compelling reasons to explore the country throughout the year. With its ability to link continents, Qatar offers experiences that combine old and new, the traditional with the modern, thanks to its strategic location which is at the crossroads of East and West.

QTM 2024 is poised to be an extraordinary experience, offering unparalleled networking opportunities, insightful discussions, and a comprehensive showcase of the latest trends and innovations in the travel and tourism industry. With its expanded scope and increased participation, this year's event promises to set new benchmarks for travel marts in the region and beyond, reinforcing Qatar's position as a premier destination for business events and tourism.