by Qatar’s World-Class Infrastructure and Facilities
Qatar has invested heavily in developing world-class infrastructure and facilities to support the growth of the MICE industry. Doha, the capital city, is home to state-of-the-art convention centers, five-star hotels and resorts that can accommodate large conventions and exhibitions. The Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) located in the heart of Doha is one of the largest convention centers in the Middle East with a capacity to host over 40,000 delegates. The centre features eight auditoriums along with meeting rooms of varying sizes. The facilities include advanced audio-visual technology, simultaneous interpretation systems and on-site technical support staff.
In addition to Qatar Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE), Qatar boasts of other world-class MICE venues like the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC), which hosts some of the largest exhibitions in the region annually. The centre has 12 exhibition halls with a total space of more than 70,000 square meters. It can host multiple simultaneous events and accommodate over 25,000 visitors at a time. Doha also has more than 25 five-star hotels within a short distance of the convention centres, offering attendees a wide range of accommodation options. Many of these hotels have significant conference facilities of their own to host smaller meetings and events.
Government Support for Qatar Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions Growth
The Qatari government has identified MICE tourism as a key sector for economic growth and diversification. It aims to position Qatar as the preferred business events destination in the Middle East through targeted investments, incentive programs and industry collaborations.
In addition, the Qatar National Tourism Council (QNTC) offers several incentives and support programs to event organizers, conference partners and exhibitors. Some of the incentives include waived visa fees for delegates, subsidies on venue rental costs, assistance with permits and licenses, networking opportunities with local suppliers and destination promotion. The government also relaxes rules for virtual and hybrid events to attract global conferences amid pandemic restrictions. These initiatives are helping Qatar rapidly emerge as a strong competitor in the region’s MICE.
Diverse Range of Events Hosted in Qatar
Leveraging its world-class infrastructure, Qatar hosts a wide variety of business events each year spanning different industries. Some of the major events include the Milipol Qatar international homeland security exhibition, Qatar Petroleum international conference and exhibition, Index Conventions Qatar for the publishing sector and Targa Telematics congress on smart technologies. Qatar also attracts prominent global sports and entertainment events like the FIFA World Cup in 2022, EuroLeague Basketball Final Four and Katara Cultural Festival.
In the healthcare domain, Qatar hosts medical conferences and workshops in collaboration with prominent actors like Hamad Medical Corporation and Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar. The annual Qatar Economic Forum brings together global leaders from business, government and civil society for discussions on strategic issues. Apart from mega conventions, Qatar offers venues and support for niche regional and local workshops, seminars and product launches as well. This diverse mix helps events planners curate unique programs catering to different industries and participant profiles.
Strategic Location and Connectivity
Qatar enjoys a strategic location at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and Africa, providing easy connectivity to major markets. Hamad International Airport in Doha is ranked among the world’s best airports, offering smooth transfers and a transit time of only 8-12 hours from most cities in Europe and Asia. The country also benefits from political stability compared to some other Middle Eastern regions experiencing conflicts. Overall, the strategic location, seamless connectivity and security make Qatar an attractive destination for events requiring global participation.
Sustainability Initiatives in Qatar’s MICE Segment
As a global leader in sustainability practices and climate action, Qatar has incorporated green strategies across its MICE offerings as well. Key initiatives include mandating green building standards for new MICE infrastructure, optimizing energy and water usage through efficient systems and hosting carbon neutral business forums and workshops.
Qatar aims to transition all national venues like Qatar Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) and DECC to operate on renewable energy by 2030. It also offers event organizers subsidies and solutions partnering local sustainability experts, to minimize the environmental impact of large conferences. For instance, certified carbon offsets are provided to cancel out emissions from delegate travel. Meetings are encouraged to adopt paperless and digital modes as well. Such initiatives aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goals are helping Qatar emerge as a favorable green venue for responsible events and attendees.
With its world-class infrastructure and government support, Qatar has developed into a major powerhouse in the Qatar Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions landscape. The country offers a unique bundle of amenities like state-of-the-art venues, versatile accommodation options, guaranteed security and easy global connectivity. It also hosts diverse events catering to varied industries. Qatar’s leadership in sustainability further strengthens its value proposition for eco-conscious organizers. With mega sporting events like the 2022 FIFA World Cup on the horizon, Qatar is well positioned to witness continued growth as a venue of choice for business and international events.
*Note:
1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
