Doha Hosts Qatar Travel Mart 2026 to Shape the Future of Global Tourism
Alexandra
Qatar Travel Mart 2025: A Pinnacle for Global Tourism Innovation
In late November 2025, Doha is set to welcome the annual Qatar Travel Mart (QTM) at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC). This event stands as a vital gathering where tourism leaders worldwide converge to discuss innovation, sustainability, cultural exchange, and the emerging drivers fueling the tourism industry's future.
Organized by NeXTfairs for Exhibitions and Conferences, with strategic support from Visit Qatar and Katara Hospitality, QTM solidifies Qatar's role as a critical hub within the Arabian Gulf and an increasingly influential international tourism destination.
The Dynamic Scope and Highlights of QTM 2025
Building upon its rapid rise to one of the region’s most influential tourism platforms, QTM 2025 promises to surpass previous editions. The event attracts more than 10,000 visitors, hosts over 300 exhibitors from some 60 countries, and gathers numerous industry experts and buyers.
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The focus this year is on ten core sectors shaping modern tourism:
- Culture
- Leisure
- Business
- Luxury
- Sports
- Medical
- Halal Tourism
- Technology
- Sustainability
- Education
Exhibitors include a broad spectrum of stakeholders such as destination management companies, hotels, tour operators, technology providers, and tourism boards from around the globe.
Conference Themes: Driving Tourism’s Future
| Date | Conference Theme | Focus Area |
|---|---|---|
| 24 November | Preserving the Past, Shaping the Future | Culture and Heritage |
| 25 November | Designing Tomorrow: Hospitality, Innovation & Sustainability in a Changing World | Sector Transformation |
| 26 November | Catalysts for Change | Impact of Mega Events, Wellness, and Health Tourism |
These rich discussions aim to chart strategic directions amidst evolving global challenges and opportunities.
Qatar's Emerging Tourism Landscape
Qatar’s tourism sector is experiencing solid growth, having welcomed approximately 3.5 million visitors in the first nine months of 2025—a year-on-year increase of 2.2%. With such momentum, platforms like QTM are essential catalysts in further driving this positive trajectory.
Notable local hospitality leaders emphasize the event’s importance for fostering collaboration, strengthening industry partnerships, and showcasing Qatar’s expanding leadership in luxury and ultra-luxury tourism segments. This aligns with the nation’s vision for 2030, which seeks to position Qatar as a world-class hospitality destination.
Cultural Engagement and Global Connection
A highlight of QTM is the renowned Global Village, a cultural exhibition area featuring immersive showcases from eleven countries, including Indonesia, Poland, Türkiye, South Africa, Ghana, the Dominican Republic, Iran, Russia, Peru, Thailand, and Haiti. Through vibrant performances, artisanal displays, and interactive sessions, the Global Village underlines tourism’s role in enhancing cross-cultural understanding and strengthening international tourism networks.
Historical Context: Qatar’s Journey in Tourism Development
Historically, Qatar has centered its economy around hydrocarbons such as natural gas and oil. However, in recent years, it has made a strategic pivot to diversify by investing heavily in tourism and hospitality infrastructure. This includes developing premier museums, traditional marketplaces (souqs), beaches, sporting venues, world-class exhibition centers, and luxury accommodations.
Since hosting large-scale events like the FIFA World Cup in 2022, the country’s international profile as a destination has soared. Qatar’s long-range national tourism strategy aims to escalate visitor arrivals from 1.2 million recorded in 2013 to approximately seven million by 2030, targeting business travelers, visitors to friends and relatives, and cultural explorers seeking authentic experiences.
A key hurdle remains the relative paucity of tourism education institutions, with only a single university offering undergraduate tourism and hospitality courses. This has spurred reliance on experienced foreign labor, but significant steps are underway to develop a knowledge-based economy emphasizing quality research and training pertinent to the tourism sector.
Economic Impact Snapshot: Travel and Tourism in Qatar
| Year | Direct Contribution to GDP (USD) | Percentage of GDP | Employment Supported |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 3.74 billion | 1.8% | Approximately 86,000 jobs |
| 2014 (Projection) | 4.09 billion | ~1.9% | – |
| 2024 (Projection) | 6.35 billion | 1.7% | – |
The Broader Significance for International Tourism
Events like Qatar Travel Mart play a crucial role in shaping the horizon of global tourism by driving collaboration, innovation, and sustainability—core themes essential for future growth. Highlighting cultural heritage alongside cutting-edge hospitality trends reinforces the sector’s need to balance tradition with modernity.
Global gatherings focused on tourism innovation offer valuable platforms for destinations to showcase their unique offerings and align with worldwide sustainable development goals. The incorporation of technology and wellness trends also reflects a shift toward more personalized and meaningful travel experiences, which increasingly appeal to a diverse set of tourists.
Implications for Sailing and Yachting Enthusiasts
Qatar, positioned as an Arabian Gulf gateway, benefits from its strategic coastal location and expanding marinas that cater to yachts, sailing boats, and luxury charters. With the growth in tourism infrastructure and international visibility boosted by events like QTM, the region is gradually becoming a hotspot for boating and yachting enthusiasts seeking premium experiences on clear turquoise waters.
The focus on luxury tourism and cultural exposure also complements the yachting sector’s appeal, as visitors often look to combine sailing adventures with the discovery of rich cultural destinations. This synergy encourages the integration of marine activities into broader tourism portfolios, enhancing offerings for visitors exploring the Gulf.
Conclusion
Qatar Travel Mart 2025 stands as a testament to the nation’s dynamic evolution as a global tourism player. By fostering dialogue on culture, innovation, sustainability, and wellness, the event not only propels regional tourism growth but also encourages international collaboration and understanding.
For sailing aficionados, Qatar’s enhanced tourism profile and improved marina infrastructure signal exciting prospects for combining yachting and water-based activities with immersive cultural experiences. The growing global focus on sustainability and experience-driven travel resonates well with the desires of modern charterers, captains, and beach lovers alike.
As tourism trends continue to flourish in this vibrant Gulf destination, GetBoat.com remains the leading international marketplace for renting sailing boats and yachts, offering options to suit every preference and budget—perfect for discovering waters rich in culture, sun, and adventure.
