On Tuesday May 27th 2014, Qatar’s new airport, Hamad International Airport will become fully operational and welcome Qatar Airways, the national carrier, to its new home. HIA, the world’s newest international hub, is located five kilometres away from the existing Doha International Airport and will cater to a capacity of 28 million passengers per year, increasing to 50 million passengers a year when the facility is fully operational.

In this interview Phil Blizzard talks to Issa Mohammed Al Mohannadi, chairman, Qatar Tourism Authority about the long term strategy for tourism development, the role of local stakeholders like Qatar Airways and what Qatar can offer its guests as it strives to become a leading tourism destination. The chairman also gives his views on how the country aims to balance the influx of tourists with their traditional values and social norms.

Qatar Tourism Authority is leading the Qatari delegation at the annual Arabian Travel Market 2014, with a 75 per cent larger presence than in previous years. The event is set to take place between May 5th-8th 2014 in Dubai. The high-powered delegation comprising representatives of 29 hotels, operators and travel agencies will highlight Qatar’s growing status as a destination for family recreation, leisure and cultural tourism.

Rashed Al-Qurese, director of marketing Qatar Tourism Authority, talks to Breaking Travel News on Day 2, at ITB 2014.

UNWTO is supporting Qatar to implement its new tourism strategy through collaboration in the areas of legislation, institutional strengthening, statistics, marketing and capacity building. During an official visit to the country, where he met H.E. Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, Prime Minister of Qatar and attended the launch of Qatar’s Tourism Strategy, UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai welcomed the high priority afforded to the tourism sector in Qatar.

The Qatar Tourism Authority has hosted the second Sport & Tourism Forum on the sidelines of the fourth ASPIRE4SPORT event in Doha. Held in partnership with the Qatar Olympic Committee the forum illuminated the impact of the tournaments and sporting events hosted and organised by the Qatar Olympic Committee and sports federations on tourism in Qatar.