300 exhibitors to attend Qatar Travel Mart

Rawad Sleem, Co-Founder and General Manager, Nextfairs, shares details about the 3rd edition of Qatar Travel Mart (QTM), scheduled from 25 -27 November 2024.

TT Bureau

What is the theme and focus for this year’s Qatar Travel Mart (QTM)? What’s different from last year?
The central themes for QTM 2024 revolves around sustainable tourism, luxury experiences, and cultural exploration. Our goal is to position Qatar as a premier travel destination while emphasizing the increasing demand for environmentally responsible tourism. The event aligns with Qatar’s National Vision 2030, which seeks to harmonize economic growth with environmental sustainability. As luxury travel is expected to reach a market size of $546 billion by 2028, we are committed to blending luxury with authenticity, creating transformative travel experiences. Cultural exploration is also a key focus, particularly as 85 per cent of travellers now prefer destinations that offer immersive and genuine cultural experiences.

How many exhibitors, buyers, and media are expected this year?
This year, QTM 2024 anticipated to feature 300 exhibitors from 60 countries, a significant increase from previous editions, reflecting the event’s growing influence. Our hosted buyers program is bringing in 300 high-value buyers to connect with exhibitors, enhancing networking opportunities. We’re expecting a total of 12,000 visitors which is a new attendance record for the event, along with local and international media personnel covering the event.

Can you share details about the total area and expected business this year?
QTM 2024 will span 15,000 square meters, marking a significant milestone by doubling the size of last year’s event. This expansion reflects Qatar’s growing prominence as a global tourism hub and addresses the rising demand for international travel in the region. With 300 hosted buyers expected, exhibitors will benefit from numerous business opportunities and the potential for substantial business-to-business deals, enhancing international connections and supporting the local tourism sector.

What are the key expectations for QTM 2024?
We have ambitious expectations from this year’s event. Our goal is to exceed previous participation and business deal records, firmly establishing Qatar as a premier tourism hub aligned with the National Vision 2030. Important partnerships with organisations like Visit Qatar and Katara Hospitality will play a vital role in showcasing Qatar’s unique offerings.

The event will emphasize the growing demand for both cultural and luxury tourism, further solidifying Qatar’s status as a top travel destination.

Any other important details or updates you want to share?
QTM 2024 aligns with Qatar’s National Vision 2030, which prioritises economic diversification and sustainable development. Tourism is central to this vision, and Qatar is already seeing results, with 2.956 million visitors in the first seven months of 2024, representing a 26.2 per cent growth compared to last year. The event has established itself as a premier platform for innovation and business development within the travel and tourism sector. We are fostering strategic partnerships, offering a robust hosted buyers programme, facilitating business-to-business (B2B) meetings, and hosting engaging conferences that encourage collaboration and drive industry growth.