Connections Luxury Expands Middle...

Luxury travel showcase set to return to Doha in 2026

Connections Luxury, the leading private global community for trusted professionals in high-end travel, has celebrated the success of its flagship Middle East event, held for the first time in Doha, Qatar.

More than 300 trade professionals attended, including luxury travel buyers from markets including global luxury travel sellers and buyers from key markets, with a focus on the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and India. Guests were selected from a community with a combined US$7.8 billion in annual spending power.

Attendees engaged in carefully curated, one-to-one meetings and networking opportunities designed to foster trust and facilitate business opportunities, participating in unique local activities together that showcased the essence of Qatar’s luxury offerings.

Connections Luxury Middle East 2025 was held in partnership with Visit Qatar, with the luxury travel decision-makers in attendance completing more than 1,500 meetings over three days. The event is set to return to Qatar from 29 March to 1 April 2026.

The event was in strong demand among Connections Luxury members and sold out rapidly, reflecting both the growing importance of the GCC and India as luxury travel source markets and an increased interest in Qatar as a destination for high-net-worth travellers.

Delegates participated in networking receptions and targeted one-to-one meetings with immersive cultural activities, using the Connections Way which is designed to build meaningful business relationships through shared experiences.

Premium event locations included Waldorf Astoria Doha Lusail, which also hosted buyer representatives, Raffles Doha, Fairmont Doha, SUSHISAMBA and The Highmore. Delegates also visited the Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum, where they met with Sheikh Faisal and explored his car collection and 30,000 international artefacts.

Key partners included XO Private, Preferred Hotels & Resorts and Small Luxury Hotels of the World, which supported alongside destination partners Visit California, Visit Britain and Azerbaijan Tourism Board.

Jassim Al Mahmoud, Director of PR & Communications at Visit Qatar, said: “Hosting Connections Luxury Middle East in Doha reaffirms Qatar’s position as a premier destination for high-end travel.

"With world-class hospitality, cutting-edge infrastructure, and a deep cultural heritage, Qatar offers an unmatched luxury experience for visitors. This event is an important platform for forging meaningful partnerships and expanding Qatar’s presence in the global luxury tourism sector.

"From luxury resorts and boutique hotels to exclusive shopping, fine dining, and curated cultural experiences, Qatar continues to attract discerning travellers seeking authenticity and sophistication. We look forward to welcoming more visitors and partners as we strengthen our reputation as a leading hub for luxury tourism.”

Gregory Reeves, Managing Director of Connections Luxury, added: “We are proud to have brought our flagship Middle East event to Qatar for the first time, and excited to further show the power of this destination in 2026.

"This event underscores Qatar’s rising status in the luxury travel market. With its exceptional offerings, welcoming five million international visitors in 2024 and targeting six million in 2030, Qatar is the ideal destination to foster meaningful connections and uncover new opportunities for our community.”

The next edition of Connections Luxury Middle East will take place in Qatar from 29 March to 1 April 2026.

For more information, email Gregory Reeves at greg@weareconnections.com or visit connectionsluxury.com

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