DOHA: Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) is participating in the annual Global Meetings and Incentive Exhibition (EIBTM) in Barcelona, Spain, which begins today and runs through December 3. As one of the premier industry events, QTA has exhibited at EIBTM for a number of years.

EIBTM is the leading global event for the meetings and incentive industry and a prime opportunity for Qatar Tourism Authority to promote Qatar to the European and global markets.

With the growing interest and popularity of Qatar as a Meetings and Incentive Exhibition (MICE) destination, QTA expects a very successful conference this year, a press note issued by QTA said here yesterday.

More than 90 percent of visitors to Qatar come on business or attend one of the conferences or exhibitions in the country. At the 2008 EIBTM conference, 28 percent of hosted buyers were interested in the Middle East, up from 10 percent in 2007.

By focusing on buyers from the MICE industry including conferences organisers, incentive planners, travel operators, and boards of tourism authorities, QTA has been able to effectivly target a booming meetings and incentives market and expand its brand recognition among this industry.

QTA delegation includes representatives from the Qatar National Convention Center, the Museum of Islamic Art and representatives from several luxury hotels and the top tour operators in Qatar.

QNHG meet tomorrow

Doha: Qatar Natural History Group (QNHG) will host a meeting at the Doha Speaking School tomorrow. Adam Harman and Richard Rees from the Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme (MWSRP) will show two short films and give a presentation about their work. Wildlife photographers Jens and Hanne Eriksen will be signing copies of their books on birds and will have copies of their Arabian bird calendar for 2010 available. Local writer Frances Gillespie will also be signing copies of her book Discovering Qatar.