Over twenty members of the tourism and hospitality sector are officially ready to welcome Chinese guests and tour groups, after being recognised by Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) and the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Industry members were feted at a ceremony organised by QTA and attended by HE Li Chen, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China in Qatar.

The honorees include six Destination Management Companies (DMC) who have met the requirements to qualify as a QTA-designated tour operator for Chinese tour groups. The companies are now confirmed with the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism and are ready to meet the needs of Chinese travel agencies looking to organise group holidays in Qatar, as well as independent Chinese travellers, starting this May.

In addition, 15 hotels also received the Welcome Chinese Certification, which is recognised by the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the China Tourism Academy (CTA), through its exclusive global distribution partner, Select Holding.

QTA China

The certification acknowledges that the hotels have the amenities to better host and welcome Chinese guests, such as acceptance of China Union Pay cards, access to CCTV channels and newspapers, hot water kettles and Chinese tea in guest rooms, and free WiFi connections. Gold-level certified hotels provide additional services including Chinese-speaking staff, special welcome packages, discounts for Chinese guests, and a Chinese breakfast option.

Rashed Al Qurese, Chief Marketing and Promotion Officer at QTA said they have been working closely with partners in the tourism industry to offer renowned Qatar hospitality to Chinese guests, and allow Chinese visitors to discover the country’s cultural heritage and natural treasures with ease and comfort.

As we continue to promote Qatar as a tourism destination in China we look forward to seeing more sector partners receive their certification and ensure that they are well-positioned for the Chinese market.’

Qatar was granted Approved Destination Status (ADS) by what is now the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (previously the China National Tourism Administration) in September 2017, allowing it to receive tourist groups from China and to promote Qatar as a tourism destination in China.

After Qatar gained ADS last year, QTA opened representative offices in Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai. Thanks to the promotional efforts spearheaded by these offices, as well as the visa-free entry for Chinese citizens which was introduced in August, supplemented by daily Qatar Airways flights to six destinations in mainland China, Qatar has seen a significant increase of Chinese tourists. The first quarter of 2018 saw a 27% increase in Chinese visitor arrivals compared to the same period last year.

The Qatar tourism sector’s China-readiness allows it tap into the world’s largest tourism export market. In 2016, 135 million Chinese citizens are recorded to have travelled abroad, spending  US$ 261 billion.

For more information and updates about QTA, check out their website at visitqatar.qa.