On the back of Qatar getting Approved Destination Status from China, Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) has opened representative offices in China, with headquarters in Beijing and supporting locations in Shanghai and Guangzhou.
The offices will be operated in partnership with Preferred Hospitality Group’s PHG Consulting division, which provides representation and consultancy services for destinations and travel players.
According to Rashed AlQurese, chief marketing and promotion officer at QTA, Qatar´s marketing campaign in China will cover promotional initiatives, including workshops, sales visits, travel agents destination training through QTA´s online TAWASH programme, partnerships with tour operators, and innovative activities.
“China has risen rapidly as a major source of outbound tourists and we have identified it as a key source market for future growth, among both leisure and business visitors,” said AlQurese. “Our on-the-ground presence in China will enable us to actively promote Qatar to Chinese consumers, and develop relationships with members of the Chinese travel trade.”
He continued: “Now that Qatar has been granted Approved Destination Status, our work can begin immediately, and will culminate in a major campaign that will kick off in January, which will include advertising in major publications, key outdoor locations and fam trips for media.”
Moreover, QTA’s website is now available in Mandarin, giving Chinese travellers easy access to information about the destination´s tourism offerings, hospitality options and key tourism events online. Visit Qatar will also establish a presence across the most prominent Chinese social media platforms in the coming months.
Commented Sultan Salmeen Al Mansouri, Qatar´s ambassador to China: “Qatar has become an increasingly accessible destination for Chinese travelers, especially after Qatar waived entry visa requirements for Chinese citizens.
“At the same time, the Chinese outbound tourism market has been growing exponentially, making the time ripe for Qatar to establish a presence in China and actively engage with the domestic travel and tourism market.”
QTA´s office in China is the third to open in Asia and the ninth globally. It joins an international network currently covering the UK, Ireland, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Turkey, the US, the GCC markets and South-east Asia. QTA officials anticipate the opening of additional offices in Russia and India before the end of the year.
