Visit Qatar has announced the opening of its new office, operated by Masterkey, the first Saudi Arabian leading hospitality consulting and services company in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, marking a significant step in enhancing tourism cooperation between the two nations. The official representative office of Visit Qatar in Saudi Arabia will operate for the next three years. This dedicated sales and marketing representative office will serve as a vital link to engage with partners in the Saudi Arabian market, aiming to amplify awareness and interest in Qatar’s diverse tourism offerings. Visit Qatar offices currently operate in 13 locations worldwide, making the office in Saudi Arabia as the 14th representative.
With convenient land, sea, and air entry points, Qatar stands out as one of the most accessible destinations for tourists – particularly those from Saudi Arabia. The new office will actively collaborate with major tour operators and online travel agencies to showcase Qatar’s unparalleled attractions and experiences, fostering increased visitor engagement.
Commenting on the new venture, Eng. Abdulaziz Ali Al-Mawlawi, Chief Marketing and Promotions Officer at Qatar Tourism, said: “Visit Qatar is dedicated to achieving its goals by boosting and enhancing sectors related to tourism, increasing local and international visitor demand, attracting inward investment, and driving a multiple effect across the domestic economy. Our new office in Saudi Arabia is a testament to our commitment to further strengthening ties with GCC countries and enhancing tourism collaboration. Saudi Arabia remains a key market for Qatar, and this initiative reflects our commitment to deepening engagement with our Saudi partners.”
The inauguration of the new office follows Visit Qatar’s participation in prominent travel exhibitions in Saudi Arabia, including the 2023 Jeddah International Travel and Tourism Exhibition and the 2023 Riyadh Travel Fair. These engagements highlight Qatar’s proactive approach in fostering relationships with key stakeholders in the Saudi Arabian tourism sector, showcasing the nation’s commitment to promoting its rich tourism portfolio.
MasterKey stands as the leading hospitality consulting and services company in Saudi Arabia, specializing in crafting unique and sustainable tourism experiences, delivering innovative solutions and strategic insights to the tourism and hospitality industry. With a deep understanding of market dynamics, MasterKey partners with tourism boards, hotel chains, and leisure destinations to enhance their service offerings and market presence.
The CEO of MasterKey; Mohamed Zain said: “We are thrilled about the partnership. This collaboration opens a new chapter for us and underscores our commitment to enhancing regional tourism. Qatar offers an extraordinary array of cultural, sports, and business attractions, making it a premier destination for international travellers, especially from Saudi Arabia. We are excited to be a bridge that connects these experiences with a wider audience, and we are committed to strengthening the cultural and economic ties between the two nations through vibrant tourism initiatives and partnerships. Together, we will unlock new opportunities and bring unparalleled experiences to our visitors”.
Saudi Arabia has emerged as one of the most popular markets for tourism in Qatar. In January 2024 alone, Qatar welcomed 226,900 visitors from Saudi Arabia, which made up a third (33%) of all international arrivals, primarily for the AFC Asian Cup 2023™. Visit Qatar, in collaboration with Qatar Airways, launched ‘Stopover’ packages as part of the ‘Double the Discovery’ campaign earlier in 2024. This campaign allows visitors to book packages for tourism in both countries, with exclusive hotel offers, allowing travellers to experience the best of both Qatar and Saudi Arabia. For Eid Al Fitr 2024, visitors coming in at the Abu Samra border were welcomed with the ‘Eidya’ gift package. In addition, the unified GCC tourist visa will be launched to further ease travel between the two countries. Collaborations as such further strengthen ties and demonstrate Qatar’s dedication to diversifying its exceptional touristic offerings to visitors from Saudi Arabia.
For more information, please visit www.visitqatar.com.
