DOHA, November 26. /Dunyo IA/. During the "Qatar Travel Mart 2025", a formal ceremony was held to present the official certificate confirming the appointment of renowned Qatari businessman and social media influencer Khalid Al Binali as the Ambassador of Uzbekistan’s National Tourism Brand to Qatar, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

The event was organized by the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Doha in collaboration with the State Committee for Tourism of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Khalid Al Binali, a prominent Qatari businessman and one of the country’s most influential social media figures with a combined following of approximately five million, actively supports cultural and sports diplomacy initiatives and fosters cooperation between the Gulf states and other nations.

Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al-Thani, Chairman of the Qatar Businessmen Association and Founder of one of the region’s leading enterprises, "Al Faisal Holding", was the guest of honor at the ceremony.

The event was attended by executives from Qatar’s leading tourism companies, representatives of local and international media, prominent entrepreneurs, industry experts, and members of the diplomatic corps accredited in Doha.

During the ceremonial presentation of the certificate, Khalid Al Binali stated:

- It is a great honor for me to assume the role of Ambassador for the Uzbekistan Tourism Brand. I have had the privilege of visiting Tashkent, Samarkand, Zamin, and many other remarkable sites across the country. I can confidently say that Uzbekistan is a true paradise for travelers, first and foremost due to the legendary hospitality of the Uzbek people. Our primary goal is to position Uzbekistan as the new favorite destination for Qatari travelers and tourists throughout the Gulf region.

The appointment of Khalid Al Binali marks a significant step in strengthening tourism cooperation between Uzbekistan and Qatar. This initiative aims to substantially increase the flow of tourists from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries to Uzbekistan in the coming years.

In the first nine months of this year, Uzbekistan welcomed 8.6 million foreign tourists, marking a 12.5% increase compared to the same period last year. Notably, the number of visitors from Qatar surged more than sixfold compared to 2022, a year when global tourism was beginning to recover from the pandemic.