If you are thinking of organizing your next big business event, look no further than Qatar.
The MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) industry has been an important part of the tourism landscape of this country. For the past two years, the MICE industry has suffered majorly due to the various travel restrictions put in place due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Additionally, global companies have preferred a combination of smaller, intimate gatherings and virtual conferences as an alternative to large business meetings, summits, and trade exhibitions.
However, this year with travel restrictions lifted and the threats of the global pandemic abate, countries are once again looking forward to welcoming business travellers with open arms. Qatar is one such versatile country that has been at the forefront of making travel easier and safer.
A Business hub waiting to be discovered
Qatar is a nation where age-old tradition meets modernity, a country that is steadily rooted in its rich, cultural past and yet has a firm eye on the future. It is a country where shimmering sands meet sparkling waters of the ocean, and relics of yore stand side by side with swanky malls, corporate buildings, and luxury apartments. However, it’s not only a promising tourist destination but also a hub of business, culture, sports, and entertainment.
A range of factors has made Qatar the numero uno destination when it comes to business and MICE travel. In terms of GDP per capita, it occupies the first position in the Arab world and the second position globally.
The flourishing economy is reflected in the safety that the country offers to both its citizens as well as visitors. It has been voted as the 2nd safest country in the world by Numbeo. In terms of hospitality experience, the country tops the list among all Arab nations.
The sub-tropical desert climate offers plenty of sunshine throughout the year. Although summer happens to be the primary season, most of the tourist spots and business centres are equipped with cutting-edge air-conditioning technology.
All these features make Qatar a must-visit destination on your bucket list. The country also happens to be the first among all Arab nations to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup. This itself is a testimony to the growing importance of Qatar as a destination to look forward to.
What makes Qatar the perfect MICE destination?
From business-friendly government policies to state-of-the-art venues, several factors make Qatar the perfect place to hold your next business summit.
Qatar is well-connected to the rest of the world with direct flights from all the top cities. Courtesy of its unique geopolitical location, the country is equidistant from both Europe and the rest of Asia. With an average flight time of fewer than eight hours, business travellers find it easy to fly to the country.
There are thriving sectors of economic growth, including finance, technology, infrastructure, and retail. With more than 181 outstanding hospitality options and state-of-the-art business venues, Qatar is the perfect spot for your business to leave a lasting impact on your employees, investors, clients, and other stakeholders.
Visitors can travel to Qatar on the country’s award-winning airline, Qatar Airways. It directly connects Doha to more than 140 destinations across six continents and all major international business hubs. In consonance with its commitment to encourage business travel, Qatar Airways is now offering a program called QMICE – an easy one-stop solution to cater to the many needs of the meetings industry. MICE groups to Qatar can avail of a discount of up to 25% as a part of this programme.
Top business venues in Qatar
Doha is the fulcrum of all the business and tourist activities in the country. With top companies having their headquarters and regional offices in the city, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that it happens to be the top choice for MICE travellers.
Doha is blessed with some of the world’s most sophisticated exhibition and conference venues that give PCOs and event organisers a chance to customise them, thereby helping them to save up on set-up costs.
Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre
One of the premier business convention centres in Doha is DECC or Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre. Conveniently located at the heart of Doha’s commercial district, this business centre is only a few minutes away from both the Corniche waterfront (one of the most iconic promenades in the country) and many of the city’s popular five-star hotels.
Also, it is only a 20-minute drive from the airport. Inaugurated in 2015, it covers an area of 29,000 square metres. The centre has five vast, pillar-free halls, ideal for hosting large events. Its in-house facilities include a mobile modular wall system, high-tech meeting and conference rooms, an exquisite VIP hosting suite, and a vast underground parking area that can hold hundreds of cars at the same time.
The building’s 18-metre-high ceiling is the highest in the Middle East and is supported by a revolutionary cantilever roof. The pillarless hall provides ample space for big events such as annual general meetings, global product launches and international business summits.
Business travellers and event organizers would find this venue convenient due to its prime location. It is surrounded by more than 15 hotels, which cumulatively offer up to 5,400 rooms. Other major tourist attractions include shopping malls, Corniche waterfront (5-minute walk), Katara cultural village (10-minute drive), the Museum of Islamic Art, and Souq Waqif (10-minute drive).
Designed to host various kinds of event, this convention centre offers organisers 360-degree event management services, from venue design and technical requirements to AV and catering. The gourmet Qatari cuisine at the two speciality restaurants located within the centre makes it an ideal event venue.
Qatar National Convention Centre
Built as one of the world’s finest convention and exhibition venues, the Qatar National Convention Centre is ideal for hosting a range of business events. The venue features a multi-purpose 4,000-seater conference hall, a 2,300-seater theatre, 3 auditoria as well as individual meeting spaces. Like its counterpart, QNCC also offers 40,000 square metres of column-free exhibition space, spanning 9 halls, which can comfortably seat 10,000 delegates for a conference or a banquet.
Here are some of the highlights of the centre:
- The venue has been specially designed to meet the ADA Standards for Accessible Design.
- It has been awarded a gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED).
- The venue was adjudged the “Best Events Venue” at the Middle East Event Awards, 2013, and the “Middle East’s Leading Exhibition & Convention Centre” at the World Travel Awards 2014.
Unconventional Venues
In addition to the purpose-built venues, Qatar is home to a host of community centres and cultural sites which double up as unconventional meeting spaces and event venues for small events.
Some of these include:
Msheireb Downtown Doha (one of the world’s first sustainable downtown projects featuring world-class living and working environments)
Zubarah Fort (an ancient military fort turned into a world-class museum)
Shaqab Equestrian Center (980,000 square metres of venue space including cafeteria, indoor and outdoor arenas, multi-function hall and lounges)
Museum of Islamic Art (200-seater auditorium fully equipped with the latest audio-visual equipment)
Accommodation for Business Travellers
Qatar’s flourishing hotel market makes it an attractive destination for business and MICE travellers for every budget category. Event organisers will find everything from a one-star hotel to a five-star one at competitive prices. Prices can range from QAR 148 to QAR 607.
Incentives for the MICE industry
It’s not just all work and no play in Qatar. From adventure sports to beach activities, from city breaks to nature walks, there are options perfect to be clubbed with a conference.
Qatar offers a range of incentive packages for business and MICE travellers focusing on tradition, art and culture, sports, and luxury. These include:
- A cruise on a traditional Arabic dhow
- Desert camping experience at Inland Sea
- A tour through the traditional market called Souq Waqif
- Experiencing world-class museums
- Exploring the world heritage site of Al Zubarah fort
- An evening with Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra
- Kayaking through the mangroves at Al Thakira
- A day of unwinding at some of the most luxurious spas, followed by shopping and fine dining at Michelin-star restaurants
How Can Qatar Tourism Help You?
From providing relevant guidance and support to connecting event organisers with relevant government and private entities, Qatar Tourism is there to assist you at every step of your MICE journey. Get in touch with the team to organise your next big business event.
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