The Qatar Tourism Awards are gearing up for their second edition, with seven judges set to begin evaluating entries across seven categories this September.
The jury panel is composed of distinguished experts from various fields, including Sheikha Alanoud bint Hamad Al Thani, the chairwoman of TenX Ventures. Recognized by Forbes, she has made history as the first woman and the youngest person appointed to the Qatar Financial Centre, where she served as deputy CEO.
Other notable jury members include Rana Sobh, dean of the College of Business and Economics at Qatar University; Abdulla Al Mehshadi, CEO of Al Wa’ab City; innovation expert Ramzan Al Naimi; and Ali bin Towar Al Kuwari, who represents Qatar Museums’ Year of Culture program. Additionally, Azzam Abdulaziz Al Mannai, CEO of Sport Accelerator at the Aspire Zone Foundation, and Marcel Leijzer, deputy director of technical cooperation at the UN Tourism, round out the panel.
Starting September 10, this esteemed group will evaluate entries from individuals and organizations that are enhancing Qatar’s tourism industry. In 2023, Doha was named the Arab Tourism Capital, highlighting its growing significance in the regional tourism landscape.
The awards are conducted in partnership with the World Tourism Organization, celebrating outstanding achievements across seven categories, including:
– Service Excellence
– Gastronomic Experiences
– Iconic Attractions and Activities
– World-Class Events
– Digital Footprint
– Smart and Sustainable Tourism
– Community Leadership
Each category features subcategories, such as Tour Guide of the Year, Outstanding Authentic Qatari Dining Experience, Leading Local Retail Brand, Leading Event Celebrating Local Culture, Tourism Influencer/Content Creator of the Year, Leading Sustainable Attraction, and Emerging Leader in Tourism.
Zurab Pololikashvili, the UN Tourism secretary-general, emphasized that the inaugural awards showcased the significant strides being made within Qatar’s tourism sector. He noted that this second edition aims to inspire businesses and entrepreneurs to continue fostering a sustainable tourism strategy that highlights exceptional service and innovation, all while enriching the experience with Qatar’s rich cultural heritage.
