Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) has opened its fifth overseas office to promote the destination’s tourism attractions in the rapidly developing South East Asian market, with special focus on Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong.

This follows the recent opening of an office in Saudi Arabia to cover the prime GCC market, as well as QTA’S successful existing international network in the key European markets of UK, France and Germany.

QTA’s chief marketing and promotions officer, Rashed AlQurese, said: “We are delighted to further reinforce our growing overseas marketing capabilities through this new office. Experience shows that having an on-the-ground presence makes a vital contribution to maximising the tourism potential of source markets.”

He stressed that a full-time local presence in such markets greatly facilitates the building up of strong links and close liaison with the outbound travel trade, including tour operators, travel agencies and Mice and event organisers, as well as with the media. It also helps in providing a destination information service and in mounting market specific promotions to develop consumer awareness among potential leisure and business travellers.

“Our focus will be on conveying a strong message that Qatar offers the ideal mix of top quality accommodation and superb leisure facilities, including outstanding cultural attractions and a clean, green, safe environment with ‘first world’ infrastructure and services. We will also emphasise the destination’s great potential for family entertainment, shopping, dining and other recreational activities to appeal to this market,” said Al Qurese. – TradeArabia News Service