Efforts are underway to expand the reach of Qatar Airways, as the global travel industry bounces back post-COVID.
Speaking of future objectives at the ITB tourism fair in Berlin today Tuesday, the airline’s management revealed plans to expand the aerospace network by restoring 11 travel destinations and adding 7 new ones including five in Europe and two in Africa.
Plans were also in place to increase flight frequency to 35 markets, a 21% increase since July 2022.
“The aviation industry is slowly rebounding (from) unprecedented pressures,” Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said at the event.
Al Baker also noted that while inflation will bring about an increase in ticket prices, Qatar Airways was determined not to pass on fuel price hikes.
Al Baker, who also doubles as Qatar’s Minister of Tourism, revealed plans by the Qatari government to launch a tourism campaign to boost its tourism industry.
The campaign seeks to leverage on the limelight from the recently concluded 2022 FIFA World Cup to attract more visitors to the Gulf state.
Al Baker confirmed that the government of Qatar intends to increase the number of annual visitors to seven million, projecting this influx to contribute 10% to the economy.
According to travel and tourism experts, the small country will have to compete with neighbors Dubai and Saudi Arabia, both of which are top global tourist destinations, as the Middle East reopens post-COVID and more governments invest in travel and tourism.
Qatar, however, does have potential as a top travel destination, especially in the wake of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, as the country is on record for being the first Middle Eastern country to host such a major world football event.
