UN Tourism Celebrated Excellence and Innovation at Qatar Tourism Awards

UN Tourism and Qatar Tourism have again joined to celebrate the best in innovation and excellence in service.

The second edition of the Qatar Tourism Awards welcomed around 1,200 applications from businesses and individuals working in the sector. The different categories and sub-categories were designed to reflect the diversity of Qatar's growing tourism sector. Between 2019 and 2024, international arrivals to Qatar grew by 147%, with the sector also a growing hub for tourism innovation and investments.

For 2024, the seven main categories featured at the Qatar Tourism Awards were:

• Service Excellence
• Gastronomic Experiences
• Iconic Attractions
• World-Class Events
• Digital Footprint
• Smart and Sustainable Tourism
• Community Leadership

Showcasing transformative power of tourism

Opening the ceremony, UN Tourism Executive Director Natalia Bayona said: "These awards reaffirm the importance of businesses, entrepreneurs and influencers in the modern tourism landscape, both in Qatar and globally. It is imperative that we recognize and invest in the best talent and ideas in order to transform our sector. We will keep working together to strengthen our community of leaders."

The winners were chosen by a panel of judges, featuring leading experts in the field. Continuing its support, UN Tourism contributed by including one of its officials as an international expert in the selection process. Basmah Al Mayman, UN Tourism Regional Director for the Middle East, highlighted that the Awards are evolving into a significant brand that embodies Qatar's commitment to development in tourism. By recognizing outstanding achievements across various sectors, the Awards align with the key priorities of UN Tourism to promote tourism as a driver of economic growth and comprehensive development.

In his opening remarks, H.E. Saad Al Kharji, Chairman of Qatar Tourism, emphasized the vital role of UN Tourism in the success of this initiative. He reiterated the strong commitment of Qatar Tourism to delivering exceptional service and positioning Qatar as the fastest-growing tourism destination in the world. Finally, he encouraged all tourism stakeholders to apply for future editions, inviting them to play a part in shaping the future of tourism in Qatar.