Officials at the Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) have confirmed the organisation will withdraw from the annual Gulf Incentive, Business Travel and Meetings Exhibition (GIBTM) scheduled for next month.

The move will give the QTA time to focus on restructuring exhibition plans, explained a statement earlier.

Attention for the year will instead be placed on holding a roadshow aimed at Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, which will focus more on the leisure market during the Eid holidays.

Soha Moussa, head of promotions and organising abroad exhibitions for the QTA, commented: “GIBTM remains an event that is very much part of our plans for the future. 

“At present we are seeing significant growth in the numbers of people coming to Qatar for business purposes, and this was acknowledged at the recent World Travel Awards where the country was recognised as the World’s Leading Business Travel Destination.

“On this occasion we have decided that while we consider the long term direction of our exhibition programme, the investment will be better placed into attracting visitors into Qatar for leisure purposes.

“This will be addressed with a roadshow that we are planning for a little later in the year.”

Qatar is a leading destination in the Gulf region for business and MICE.

It offers travellers a truly business-oriented location, combined with an exciting mix of leisure activities and quality hotels.

In addition to the existing and spacious Doha Exhibition Centre and the recently opened Qatar National Convention Centre, 2012 sees the opening of the new Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre in the city centre, which will provide another first class exhibition venue for Qatar and add 45,000 sq m of showcase space.

Qatar Airways is also the fastest growing airline in the world, now flying to 100 plus destinations, meaning Qatar is a key hub for international traffic.

As well as contributing to Qatar’s reputation as a great place to do business, this is fuelling a growth in leisure travel as some travellers already in the country on business, and many of those in transit are choosing to spend an extra couple of days in Qatar.

And with coastline, dunes, year-round sun, great shopping and hotels as well as a packed calendar of sporting events, Qatar offers a great variety of options for those seeking adventure and relaxation alike.