MICE & tourism

FEATURED STORY “We concentrate on authentic Arabian hospitality”

‘We are new, yet historic’ may seem like an oxymoron to some, but Hamad Abdulla Al Mulla, chief executive officer, Katara Hospitality disagrees. To him, it is the essence of what the company is all about. In an exclusive interview with The Edge, Al Mulla talks through Katara Hospitality’s business philosophy, which integrates cultural diversity with élan and gives his take on the company’s prospects in light of the 2022 World Cup.read more ›

One of the company’s prestigious ongoing projects, mentions Al Mulla, is Katara Towers in the Lusail City district, Doha. The project has 614 rooms including five-star hotel accommodation and one five-star deluxe hotel as well as private offices and residential space.

“We concentrate on authentic Arabian hospitality”

by  — 10 September 2014

‘We are new, yet historic’ may seem like an oxymoron to some, but Hamad Abdulla Al Mulla, chief executive officer, Katara Hospitality disagrees. To him, it is the essence of what the company is all about. In an exclusive interview with The Edge, Al Mulla talks through Katara Hospitality’s business philosophy, which integrates cultural diversity with élan and gives his take on the company’s prospects in light of the 2022 World Cup. read more ›

Millennials’ (those born between the early 1980s and early 2000s) desire to be connected even during travel is forcing the hospitality industry to adapt and cater to their needs. (Image Corbis)

How is technology changing travel in the Middle East?

by  — 24 July 2014

Technology has changed the way people plan and book their holiday. But what do young travellers expect from a hotel once they arrive at their destination from a technological perspective? They expect hotels to be equally tech-savvy, offering high speed Wi-Fi, mobile workspaces and more recently, mobile check-in, writes an expert in the travel industry, Neal Jones. read more ›

Project Qatar 2013 hosted 2100 local and international exhibitors from 50 countries.

Project Qatar returns in May for its 11th edition

by  — 11 March 2014

Project Qatar will be back from May 12th - May 15th 2014. Building on 10 years in Qatar, this event has grown exponentially in the region, both in terms of exhibitors and visitors. This year, it will be taking place at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC), a new venue. read more ›

The profile of the majority of travellers is changing, says Professor Robert Coelen the executive dean of Stenden University. The future middle class will mainly consist of Asians, a market Qatar must plan for.

Qatar must lift standards of service if tourism sector is to grow

by  — 2 March 2014

As it stands today, the bulk of Qatar’s tourism is made up of business tourism, comprising as much as 65 percent of the market, with meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) coming in second at 18 percent. So what does Qatar need to do further to grow the sector? Stenden University’s Robert Coelen has some answers. read more ›

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Infographic: The rise of muslim tourists

by  — 2 March 2014

Many Muslim-majority countries have started to offer specialised hotels that do not serve alcohol, beach resorts with sections for covered women and heritage-based tourism packages. A Zawya report on the State of the Islamic Economy estimates the Muslim tourist market was worth USD137 billion (QAR499 billion) in 2012, excluding the Hajj and Umrah. read more ›

A general view shows the interior of the Hamad International Airport in Doha, slated to start passenger flights in January. (Image Reuters/Arabian Eye)

Is Hamad International Airport ready for passenger flights?

by  — 14 January 2014

As the Hamad International Airport (HIA) starts its cargo operations with one of the largest cargo terminals worldwide, is it ready to go fully operational in 2014? read more ›

FIFA walks back comments on a change of timing for the 2022 World Cup

by  — 8 January 2014

Earlier in the day FIFA's general secretary Jerome Valcke caused a stir when he told Radio France that, "the dates for the World Cup (in Qatar) will not be June-July." It has since emerged that no final decision has been made on the dates for the 2022 World Cup to be held in Qatar. read more ›

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Hamad International Airport commences operations with its first cargo shipment

by  — 1 December 2013

On 1 December 2013 the new Hamad International Airport received its first flight, a Qatar Airways Cargo shipment. read more ›

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New stadium technologies unveiled on first day of Aspire4Sport

by  — 17 November 2013

ASPIRE4SPORT 2013 Conference and Exhibition, one of the region’s largest sporting exhibitions opened yesterday. Numerous delegates, visitors and sporting personalities attended the sports business platform, which was officially opened by Qatar’s Minister of Youth and Sport, His Excellency Salah bin Ghanem Al Ali. read more ›

An artist rendering of the Lusail Iconic Stadium, one of the many stadiums yet to be built for the 2022 World Cup (Image Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee)

If Qatar loses the 2022 World Cup will it ever be held in an Arab country?

by  — 12 September 2013

Is Qatar’s summer 2022 World Cup in jeopardy? FIFA’s executive committee are set to vote on the matter in Zurich, Switzerland in early October. read more ›

Tourists visit Al Zubara fort, one of Qatar’s tourist sites. Qatar is seeking to promote itself as a travel destination through a tourism satellite account. (Image Corbis)

Qatar to promote travel sector through new tourism satellite account

by  — 13 August 2013

Aiming to establish Qatar as a tourist destination, Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) is set to put in place a Tourism Satellite Account (TSA), which is a data management system that tracks the statistics related to tourist activities.  read more ›

A panel discussion in progress at the Aspire4Sport congress and exhibition in 2012.

Aspire4Sport congress and exhibition announces dates for 2013 edition

by  — 17 July 2013

Aspire Zone Foundation today announced dates for ASPIRE4SPORT Congress and Exhibition, which will take place from 16 to 19 November of this year at Aspire Dome.  read more ›

Held annually, Qatar Motor Show has become one of the must-visit exhibitions in which automobile manufacturers showcase and launch luxury models in the Doha market.

Qatar’s growing events and exhibitions industry

by  — 20 June 2013

With Doha now hosting various global and regional exhibitions and conferences throughout the year, The Edge probes the sector to see if all the stakeholders involved are really prepared to make the Qatari capital the most sought after MICE location of the Middle East. read more ›

As the number of hotels continue to grow in Qatar, sustainability in the tourism industry has emerged as a major concern.

Ensuring sustainability in Qatar’s tourism industry

by  — 11 June 2013

Promoting energy efficient solutions in Qatar’s hospitality sector was the focus of a recent event organised by Qatar Green Building Council.  read more ›

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is the latest addition to the carriers fleet of 123 aircraft with another 230 orders of various aircraft to be delivered. (Image Qatar Airways)

Qatar has the strongest growth in the Middle East aviation sector

by  — 7 May 2013

Qatar demonstrated the strongest growth in air traffic volume in the Middle East, according to Amadeus, a leading technology provider in the travel industry. read more ›

UPCOMING EVENTS

8-9 Sep Future Interiors Qatar

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15-17 Sep Global Refining Technology Forum

Grand Hyatt Doha

14-17 Sep Marine Coastal Engineering Summit

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21-23 Sep ITS & Road Safety Qatar Forum

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