Sports Tourism on Qatar’s agenda
Guest Writers are not employed, compensated or governed by TD, opinions and statements are from the specific writer directly
Qatar Tourism is keen to tap into the growing potential of sports tourism. 
In an recent development, Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA), in partnership with ASPIRE4SPORTS and Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), hosted a one day forum to discuss sports tourism.
ASPIRE4SPORT opened a platform for local tourism stakeholders and participants to discuss different challenges and opportunities in developing Qatar’s sports tourism industry. Workshop participants included Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), Qatar Football Association, Qatar 2022, Qatar Airways and a number of hotels and tour operators.
HE Issa Bin Mohammed Al Mohannadi, chairman of QTA and HE Shaikh Saud Bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani, secretary general of QOC, underlined Qatar’s vision for sports tourism to become the region’s central sports hub and highlighted tools that will help create opportunities in sports tourism industry. “QTA is working on an integrated strategic plan to develop tourism infrastructure in Qatar to help position the destination for sport, leisure, culture, business, and education. At the same time, attract tourism investors from all around the world,” added Al Mohannadi.
Subsequently, Martin Wiest, CEO of Tourvest International and Team Destination Management highlighted the success components of sports tourism covering the importance of logistics, partnerships, management systems, accommodation and venue management, and promotion and marketing of sporting events in the international markets.
