Under the Patronage of H.E. Mr. Saad bin Ali Al Kharji, Chairman of Qatar Tourism and the Board of Directors of Visit Qatar, Mr. Omar Al Jaber, Acting Director of Tourism Development at Qatar Tourism, inaugurated the ninth edition of Hospitality Qatar.
Organized by IFP Qatar, the event is being held from November 12 to 14, 2024, at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC). The opening ceremony was attended by His Excellency Mr. Sultan bin Rashid Al Khater, Consultant to HE The Minister at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and Hamid Bentahar, President of the National Confederation of Tourism in Morocco, along with a host of prominent local and foreign dignitaries, including ambassadors from participating countries and leaders of international delegations.
Strategic partnership for industry growth
In a speech at the opening ceremony, Al Jaber stated: “At Qatar Tourism, we are proud to be the strategic partner of Hospitality Qatar 2024, a unique platform that showcases the latest advancements and innovations in such vital sectors. This partnership reaffirms our unwavering commitment to supporting and strengthening Qatar’s hospitality and tourism industry.”
Al Jaber added: “The significant development Qatar has seen in infrastructure and hospitality facilities is no coincidence; it is the result of a strategic vision aimed at positioning Qatar as a leading tourist destination. Hosting events like this reflects Qatar’s commitment to improving and developing the tourism sector as a cornerstone of economic diversification, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.”
Ambassadors of Excellence Award Ceremony
Following the opening ceremony, Qatar Tourism and IFP Qatar hosted a special awards ceremony titled ‘Ambassadors of Excellence’ to honour seniors from different departments in Qatar’s hotel industry for their outstanding service in 2024. Honourees received certificates of appreciation and award plaques from Mr. Omar Al Jaber.
Reflecting on the success of the first day, Haidar Mshaimesh, General Manager of IFP Qatar, said: “Hospitality Qatar is the country’s leading international trade exhibition and conference for hospitality and hotels, restaurants and cafes (HORECA). Organized in partnership with Qatar Tourism, the expo has attracted over 120 suppliers and service providers across the hospitality, HORECA, tourism, and food and beverage (F&B) sectors from more than 20 countries. It also brings together investors and hospitality pioneers in Qatar to explore investment opportunities in the country’s dynamic hospitality and tourism industry.”
He added: “This year, we proudly highlight the participation of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the event’s government partner, with a dedicated pavilion hosting a high-level Moroccan delegation as part of the Qatar-Morocco Year of Culture. Led by Hamid Bentahar, President of the National Confederation of Tourism in Morocco, the delegation includes senior officials representing Morocco’s public and private hospitality and tourism industry.”
Mshaimesh highlighted that: “Hospitality Qatar has steadily expanded its scope and offerings over the years to meet the increasing demand of the hospitality sector both locally and globally. This year’s agenda includes industry conferences, training sessions, and competitions tailored for HORECA, in addition to the B2B Matchmaking Program that connects industry leaders with potential buyers and investors, providing a unique platform to showcase products and services as well as forming new partnerships.”
He noted: “This year’s event features a comprehensive lineup of activities, including the Salon Culinaire competitions, where over 175 chefs from 35 top hotels in Doha will compete across 20 different categories, presenting innovative recipes from various cuisines. For the first time, the exhibition will also host live cooking demonstrations by renowned culinary experts from France, Morocco, and beyond.”
Expanding opportunities for investment and growth
Hospitality Qatar provides the ideal platform for all exhibitors, whether they are producers, suppliers, or industry professionals to reach their target markets while fostering growth within the sector. The event covers all segments of the industry, including hotels and facilities, interiors and design, leisure and entertainment, travel and tourism, resorts and landscaping, cutting-edge hospitality tech and supplies for HORECA, eco-friendly hotel systems and solutions, and F&B industry, among others.
Hospitality Qatar offers an unparalleled opportunity to showcase the latest innovations, streamline business ventures, enhance networking opportunities, and enable suppliers in the hospitality industry to connect with key decision-makers and buyers from top hotels, restaurants, and F&B outlets in Qatar. As such, it serves as a powerful catalyst for the country’s rapidly expanding hospitality sector, which is thriving amid the current tourism boom. This surge has positively impacted the hospitality sector and a range of related industries, as Qatar has achieved a new record in visitor arrivals, reaching 4 million visitors in the first nine months of this year. This figure matches the total number of visitors recorded throughout all of 2023, marking a 26% year-on-year growth compared to the same period in 2023.
