Next Fairs for Exhibitions and Conferences has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Islamic Center for Trade Development (ICDT) to host the third edition of the OIC Tourism Exhibition within the Qatar International Travel and Tourism Exhibition 2023.
And after the Qatar International Tourism Fair has established itself as an essential and important platform for promoting travel and tourism in Qatar and the countries of the region, this year’s edition of the exhibition will open its doors to exhibitors, buyers and visitors from November 20 to 22, 2023 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center.
The MoU was signed during the 49th session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers and the OIC Investment Forum, which was held in Nouakchott, Mauritania, and was attended by His Excellency Mr. Hussein Ibrahim Taha, Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
The conclusion of this agreement followed the decisions taken by the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Member States of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation at its forty-eighth session, which was held on March 22-23, 2022 in Islamabad, Pakistan, according to which the State of Qatar was nominated to host the third tourism exhibition of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
Commenting on the conclusion of the Memorandum of Understanding, Mr. Rawad Selim, Co-Founder and General Manager of NeXTfairs for Exhibitions and Conventions, said: “Next Fairs is honored to announce the conclusion of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Islamic Center for Trade Development, which will consolidate the status of the Qatar International Tourism Fair travel, hosting the third edition of the OIC Tourism Exhibition and exclusively promoting tourism in the 57 OIC countries.
He added: “The objectives of the OIC Tourism Exhibition are in line with the objectives of the Qatar International Travel and Tourism Exhibition, and it also seeks to encourage investment in the travel and tourism sector, and aims to highlight the true image of Islam as a religion that calls for promoting the values of peace and tolerance. The State of Qatar is the host country.” The 2022 FIFA World Cup is an amazing destination in which to showcase the ways in which tourism can greatly boost economic growth and development in the country.”
For her part, Mrs. Latifa Al-Boabdlawi, Director General of the Islamic Center for the Development of Trade, said: “It is our pleasure to hold the third OIC Tourism Exhibition in the State of Qatar. We also commend the great cooperation and support provided by Mr. Rawad Salim and Next Fairs for Exhibitions and Conventions to make this matter a success and to achieve We want.”
Ms. Al-Buabdlawi added: “We are looking forward to holding the third OIC Tourism Exhibition in Qatar, a country that has laid foundations and ambitious goals in the tourism sector. We have witnessed the amazing development journey in the State of Qatar, which witnessed remarkable development in cultural destinations, family-friendly places, and hotels.” “We are also witnessing amazing achievements in Qatar, which will undoubtedly inspire the countries participating in the exhibition. Similar events and exhibitions enable us to build bridges of communication, as well as promote ways of investment and trade between countries.”
This is entrusted to the Islamic Center for the Development of Trade, which is a subsidiary organization of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation; With the mission of promoting trade and investments in the OIC countries, which enhances the possibility of growth, development and prosperity. The OIC Tourism Exhibition is an opportunity for the OIC countries to expand the scope of their relations and present their tourism and cultural offerings to the public looking for facilities and destinations suitable for Muslims.
Islamic tourism is a recent phenomenon, whether in theory or in practice within the global tourism sector. While Islamic tourism was previously restricted to Hajj and Umrah only, we have recently seen a range of products and services tailored to meet the business and leisure needs of Muslim tourists around the world. Accordingly, the Islamic tourism market witnessed rapid growth and emerged as one of the fastest growing sectors in the global tourism market.
According to a report issued by Future Market Insights, the global halal tourism market generated revenues of $255 billion in 2022, and it is likely that the revenues of this market will rise to reach $365 billion by 2032.
Qatar has the facilities and facilities that Muslim travelers would like to have, such as an abundance of mosques, prayer places, restaurants, hotels that cater to halal dietary needs, spas and beauty facilities for females only, as well as a family-friendly environment. In addition, the State of Qatar has been ranked since 2019 as the safest country in the world, and this in itself is an attractive factor for various types of tourists, including women groups or travelers who wish to travel alone without an escort.
Qatar is expected to receive 6.24 million tourists in 2028, so that visitor spending will reach about 102.7 billion Qatari riyals, an increase of 9.1% annually, according to a recent report called the Qatar Economic and Commercial Activities Guide 2022. This report, which was revealed by Qatar Chamber based on to research by Capital Economics; The ways in which the tourism sector in Qatar has become a vital part and an important factor in boosting the country’s economy.
It is worth noting that major exhibitions such as the Qatar International Travel and Tourism Exhibition (QTM 2023) and the OIC Tourism Exhibition enable the State of Qatar and other OIC countries to make the most of their tourism potential. These exhibitions also provide a vital platform for communication and cooperation between prospective customers and partners, in order to enhance sales and tourism reputation for these countries.
