Just back from the incomparable Qatari experience, we reflect on this extraordinary country and its fabulous capital, Doha, with Philip Dickinson, VP of International Markets, MICE, Sport and E-Sport at Qatar Tourism.

We take a look at its growth in popularity as a key destination for the luxury incentive Travel industry and consider Qatar beyond the FIFA World Cup...

With its awe-inspiring land and cityscapes, pristine natural habitats and unique culture, heritage and atmosphere, Qatar has become an ideal destination for many types of travellers – a land that really has it all.

Of course, the World Cup is on everyone’s radar at the moment, but beyond that Qatar is a rising star in the world of luxury Incentive Travel and our Doha event was an important showcase.   

Already an established destination for affordable luxury travel, there is an enviable choice of the best hotel brands, venues, experiences, restaurants, spas, and shops all within easy reach.

The fascinating art and culture of Qatar can be enjoyed with the promise of warm Arabian hospitality, while staying in luxury accommodation, sampling world-class cuisine and indulging in unique and sumptuous experiences, from spas to beach days and private desert adventure excursions.

Visitors are almost spoiled for choice with a wealth of options just waiting to be discovered. The desert offers the striking beauty of undulating sand dunes, popular for recreational safaris or simply to soak in the scenery. It is an integral part of local culture and the setting for a surprising array of activities – relaxing tent-side, dune-bashing or parasailing.

Qatar also boasts some of the world’s best locations for kitesurfing and the country is gaining an enviable reputation as a go-to destination for water sports enthusiasts. Meanwhile the idyllic Fuwairit beach is a popular place to go turtle spotting, particularly the amber-coloured hawksbill turtles which nest annually on the region’s shores, producing the enthralling spectacle of emerging hatchlings.

Then there are the luxury resorts like Marsa Malaz Kempinski at The Pearl, Qatar and the Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som,  the Middle East’s first full-immersion wellness resort, for a holistic escape.

All of the above are all classic ingredients of an incentive travel experience and it’s Qatar’s USP that makes it so attractive, says Philip Dickinson: “With its mix of rich Arabian tradition and heritage blended with modernity and our exceptional attractions, Qatar captures the essence of the whole of the Middle East in one accessible, safe and unmissable destination.”

Experiences like the souqs, with their incredible sights, sounds and smells of authentic Qatari life, the stunning Corniche, a walk against the beautiful backdrop of futuristic buildings, and Katara Cultural Village, are staples of Doha. But much is happening beyond the city to pull in more potential visitors and enhance Qatar’s reputation as a general travel and incentive destination.

“We have some extraordinary new tourism developments opening up across the country, “ says Philip.

The Lusail Winter Wonderland will open in November, featuring over 50 rides, restaurants and cafes, world-famous beach clubs and live entertainment. And the upcoming Qetaifan Island North project, off Lusail City – billed as the first “Entertainment Island” in Qatar –  will feature hotels, beach clubs and a water park with 36 rides.

Another major development is West Bay North Beach, which will encompass 40,000 square metres of premium beachfront in the heart of Doha. New public and private beaches will create a sought-after city beach experience for everyone to enjoy.

And while he acknowledges the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ will be an event like no other, Philip says the work does not stop for the tourism body after the tournament.

“After the football we have a strong pipeline of incredible live sporting events and we want to maintain momentum. At the pinnacle of our sporting calendar will be the Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix, which we will host for ten years from 2023. The maiden Qatar Formula 1 Grand Prix took place at the Lusail Circuit last year and was a great success.

“This year we’ve also announced partnerships with GKA Kite World Tour and the global IRONMAN series, to become their official airline and tourism partners until 2024 and 2025 respectively.”

But leading travel events, such as inVOYAGE, are also vital to the development of tourism.

“We have an ambitious strategy to boost the number of inbound visitors to Qatar to more than six million a year by 2030,” Philip explains. “We wanted to show the attendees a little of our ‘hidden gem’ and we hope they’ll want to come back to see more soon.

“The MICE sector plays a crucial role in our strategy, as we believe Qatar can deliver unforgettable incentive experiences with easy air access and guaranteed warm weather.”

It’s safe to say we at inVOYAGE agree with that last sentiment. It was an event beyond comparison and is a superb contender to feature on future incentive travel itineraries.

For more information on Qatar as a destination for incentives and events, please visit www.qatartourism.com. For all the best things to do and to plan the perfect holiday in Qatar go to www.visitqatar.com