Lord Elis-Thomas.
DOHA: The inaugural Qatar Airways flight to Wales’ capital Cardiff in May is expected to enhance the global profile of Wales. The direct service between Doha and Cardiff will also help further boost Qatar-Wales bilateral trade relations.
The new route provides an unprecedented opportunity to enhance global tourism and trade links and showcase Wales internationally. In anticipation of the inaugural Qatar Airways flight to Cardiff next month, a marketing partnership agreement has been signed between Welsh Government and Qatar Airways which will increase Wales’ visibility in key markets as a holiday and business destination, Lord Elis-Thomas, Welsh Government Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport, told The Peninsula.
The direct service between Cardiff and Doha is a huge boost for Wales. From the construction and energy supply chain to food and drink, there are already a number of Wales based companies active in Qatar, while Qatar Petroleum is the major shareholder in South Hook, one of the largest liquefied natural gas terminals in Europe, in Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire.
“We have over 600 castles, three national parks, two international dark sky reserves and some of the world’s coolest music festivals. And all these experiences are packed into a country that’s just 140 miles from top to bottom,” Lord Elis-Thomas said.
Welsh Government Economy Secretary, Ken Skates said a direct route into the world’s fastest growing hub airport, Hamad International, provides further opportunities for both nations to build on these links and act as a catalyst to deliver new economic, leisure and travel opportunities as well as facilitating further co-operation in areas of mutual interest including healthcare, security, education and finance.
This is an opportunity the Welsh trade, business and tourism communities are ready and keen to grasp with both hands, Ken said.
“As a Government we are equally keen to make the most of this unprecedented opportunity to enhance the tourism and trade links between Wales, Qatar and beyond. Our marketing partnership agreement with Qatar Airways is testament to this in addition to our regular visits to Qatar, with both myself and the First Minister having visited Doha in the last 12 months.
Next month will see a further multi-sector delegation to Doha, with a specific food and drink trade development visit planned for later in the year.
“This link is a fantastic opportunity for Wales to showcase exactly what we have to offer a key market and I look forward to us doing just that.” Cardiff, Wales’ capital and one of the largest cities in the UK, is a welcoming, safe and compact city with excellent shopping, great food and quality accommodation.
Transport connections from the city also make it a perfect base for exploring other areas of the UK. London is a 2 hour train journey away, while Bath, Bristol and the Cotswolds can be reached in under one and half hours.
Elsewhere in Wales, luxury countryside hotels provide a quiet base for Qatari tourists who want to experience the rolling hills, green landscapes and fresh air. Visiting our beautiful coastline is a must; wherever you are in Wales, you’re never more than just over an hour from the sea.
Experience the breath-taking views from the clifftops, visit the classic harbour towns or spot the seals, porpoises and Britain’s largest population of bottlenose dolphins.
Qatar is the second largest market in the Middle East for Welsh exports and is one of the top 20 markets overall. The value of goods exports from Wales to Qatar in 2017 was over £158m.
The Welsh government hope to see more food and drink products reaching Qatar from Wales, particularly its world famous Welsh Lamb and dairy products but also our excellent range of healthy and organic produce.
Welsh producers such as Rachel’s Dairy and Ty Nant Water are already exporting to Qatar, with Rachel’s Dairy’s range of organic Lactose-free Yoghurts is now available at Lulu Hypermarket outlets in Qatar following discussions made during the Welsh Government trade mission to Doha in September 2017.
A high-level Welsh trade delegation is scheduled to arrive in Doha in the first week of May. The multi-sector delegation will represent less than a dozen companies.
