The FINANCIAL — Qatar Airways summed up its presence at this year’s Arabian Travel Market (ATM) a huge success, wooing trade visitors with show-stopping entertainment and showcasing its latest inflight products.
The Doha-based carrier reaffirmed its commitment to growth with more than 200 new aircraft on order; six new routes planned over the next six months; and U$1 billion worth of infrastructure improvements at Doha International Airport.
Furthermore, Qatar Airways celebrated its participation at the four-day event in Dubai by taking home three awards at two glittering ceremonies.
Qatar Airways won the Middle East’s Leading Business Class Airline award for the fourth year running and was named as having the Best Cabin Crew in the region during the World Travel Awards – considered as the travel industry’s Oscars.
But that was not all. At the Business Traveller Awards, Qatar Airways was voted Best Economy Class in the Middle East. Both events were attended by leading figures from across the regional and global travel industry.
"Visitors had a chance to try out Qatar Airways’ fully flat Business Class seats, currently deployed on the airline’s Boeing 777 long-haul fleet. The seats offer unrivalled levels of comfort and space," Qatar Airways declares.
Colourful Indian dance troupes performed to Punjabi rhythms to raise awareness of Qatar Airways’ new soon-to-be-launched flights to Amritsar and Goa. Buzz and excitement was also created during show performances reflecting the airline’s new Australian destinations of Sydney and Melbourne.
And to keep up the momentum of Qatar Airways’ recent launch of daily flights to Houston in Texas – the carrier’s third US city – dance performances inspired by the national US sport of basketball generated huge crowds.
“Qatar Airways’ participation at Arabian Travel Market yet again proved a show-stopper with the fabulous line-up of entertainment and news-making headlines as we continued to strengthen our message as a rapidly growing airline despite the current economic climate,” said Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker.
“ATM is a perfect place for the airline to showcase its products and increase awareness of our services to the travel trade industry and top-tier decision makers. It was an excellent platform for us to strengthen relations with our industry partners and create relationships with new partners across the industry.
“I am very positive about prospects for the Middle East, as the region remains strong despite the current economic climate and our presence at ATM shows our commitment to this exciting part of the world, which is still the world’s fastest growing tourism market”, added Al Baker.
Qatar Airways set a positive tone at ATM this year with a press conference announcing a huge US$1 billion infrastructure investment in the existing Doha International Airport and initiatives to reduce carbon emissions.
Al Baker briefed the international media on the airline’s long-term commitment to growth, including taking delivery of nine new aircraft before the end of the year and the six new route launches which include further expansion in Europe.
During the final day of the show, Qatar Airways participated in the Consumer & Career Day – a programme designed to introduce exhibitors to job seekers and students keen on starting their career. The airline received a great response and high-quality applications from many professionals interested in challenging careers.
A dedicated Human Resources team from Doha offered advice and guidance to job seekers and briefed interested visitors on the tremendous amount of job opportunities available at the airline.
Qatar Airways is continuing its recruitment drive with vigour as part of its expansion plans. The Qatar Airways family of companies currently employs 15,000 people, a figure set to increase significantly over the next few years in line with the airline’s growth.
Qatar Airways currently operates a modern fleet of 68 Airbus and Boeing aircraft to 84 key business and leisure destinations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, South Asia, Far East and North America.
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