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Qatar Tourism Authority Is Now The National Tourism Council
To achieve the Next Chapter’s targets, Qatar’s leadership has approved a new governance structure for the tourism sector in order to coordinate, consolidate and focus the efforts of its key members and stakeholders. This new governing body, the National Tourism Council (NTC), will replace Qatar Tourism Authority.
The council will report to a board chaired by HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Prime Minister.
Enabling development of the sector through new structures and policies
Because the tourism sector is unique in its reliance on many ancillary sectors to succeed, the government has approved a restructuring of the tourism sector to consolidate and focus the efforts of all concerned parties, and facilitate:
- Empowerment in decision-making and implementation
- Clarity in structure and roles
- Opportunity for professionals in the tourism industry
Overall governance structure
The Chairman of the Council’s Board, HE Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdul Aziz Al Thani, the Prime Minister, with HE Ali Sharif Al Emadi, Minister of Finance as Vice Chairman.
The Council’s Board will include high-level representation from relevant ministries and stakeholders. The board consists of:
- HE Akbar Al Baker, Secretary-General of Qatar National Tourism Council
- HE Salah bin Ghanem Al Ali, Minister of Culture and Sports.
- HE Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti, Minister of Transport and Communications.
- HE Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari, Minister of Commerce and Industry.
- HE Sheikh Saif bin Ahmed Al Thani, Director of Qatar's Government Communications Office.
- HE Sheikh Nawaf bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani, Chairman of Katara Hospitality.
- HE Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary General of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy.
- Sheikh Fahad bin Khalifa Al Thani, representative of Qatar Museums
The National Tourism Council will carry out the following core functions:
- Strategic industry planning and policy development
- The development and implementation of a comprehensive plan to promote investment opportunities in the tourism sector
- Destination marketing and promotion for both leisure and business events
- The enhancement of visitor experience in collaboration with tourist-facing entities
- The management of regulatory affairs, including the swift and efficient execution of all tourism licenses and similar services
