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Qatar To Host Mobile World Congress For Next 5 Years

This will be the first time the tech event has been held in the MENA region, and will help to drive digital innovation and attract investment to Qatar.

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2 years ago

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qatar to host mobile world congress for next five years
Qatar News Agency

Qatar has secured hosting rights to hold the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Doha for the next five years. The news marks a significant milestone, as it’s the first time the prestigious event will be held in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

The official agreement was signed in Barcelona by Qatar’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology, H. E. Mohammed bin Ali Al Mannai, and John Hoffman, CEO of the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA), during the MWC 2025 event.

Minister Al Mannai highlighted that MWC Doha will serve as a global meeting point for industry leaders and experts, fostering collaboration and innovation:

“This milestone reflects our commitment to accelerating the adoption of digital solutions and enhancing our leadership in the ICT sector. Hosting this event represents a strategic opportunity to attract investments and support the implementation of the Digital Agenda 2030. This event will enhance collaboration among leading sector companies, opening new horizons for growth and innovation in the region,” Al Mannai stated.

The premiere edition of MWC Doha is scheduled for November 25–26, 2025. The event will showcase the latest developments in mobile technology, AI, financial technology, and smart connectivity. Additionally, discussions will cover key issues such as digital inclusion, sustainability, and emerging technologies, offering a valuable platform for networking and knowledge sharing.

GSMA CEO John Hoffman expressed his enthusiasm for the event, saying, “We are delighted to welcome MWC25 Doha to our world-renowned MWC Series. Our vision is for MWC Doha to become integral to Qatar’s emerging role as a global hub for digital innovation, showcasing the Middle East’s digital transformation across AI, advanced 5G, and smart mobility”.

Hosting MWC Doha is expected to have a positive economic impact on Qatar, drawing thousands of attendees, including top executives, industry experts, and investors from across the world. This influx is anticipated to drive economic growth, promote international cooperation, and highlight the capabilities of Qatari and regional tech firms.

Also Read: After Two Decades, Microsoft Announces Skype Shut Down

Furthermore, the event is poised to attract foreign investment by providing global investors with firsthand insight into Qatar’s business-friendly environment. With its advanced infrastructure and supportive regulatory landscape, the country is positioning itself as a prime destination for digital ventures and entrepreneurship. Additionally, MWC Doha is expected to facilitate strategic partnerships between Qatari and international companies, further cementing Qatar’s reputation as a regional and global tech powerhouse.

GSMA currently organizes multiple regional editions of Mobile World Congress to promote digital advancement worldwide, including MWC Shanghai, MWC Las Vegas, and MWC Kigali. MWC Barcelona remains the flagship event, drawing over 101,000 attendees from 205 countries, along with more than 2,700 exhibitors.

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Trip.com Is Betting An AI Agent Will Book Your Next Vacation

Abu Dhabi, Jazeera Airways and a run of hotel deals give the company more inventory. Its Mastercard demo says the most about where booking technology is headed.

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2 days ago

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September 16, 2026

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trip.com is betting an ai agent will book your next vacation

Most of what Trip.com Group announced at Arabian Travel Market 2026 this week reads like the standard expansion playbook of an online travel agency: a new agreement with a tourism board, a run of hotel partnerships, an airline deal. However, one item was considerably more interesting: a demonstration built with Mastercard of an AI agent that doesn’t just suggest trips but also pays for them.

trip.com tripgenie ai agent

The showcase put TripGenie, the company’s AI travel assistant, to work searching, selecting and completing purchases inside a single booking flow, with Mastercard’s Agent Suite for Merchants handling the payment step and Network International processing the transactions on the merchant side. It’s limited for now to attractions and ancillary services, but the partners plan a phased commercial rollout from early 2027.

“As traveller expectations change, technology and AI will play an increasingly important role in how people plan their journeys,” says Schubert Lou, CEO of Trip.com.

Meanwhile, in more conventional news, CEO Lou and Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry (Director General for Tourism at the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi), signed an agreement building on the two organizations’ existing partnership, with joint marketing and Abu Dhabi destination content to be pushed across Trip.com Group’s platforms.

Also Read: Musk’s Boring Company Wants To Dig 150 KM Of Tunnel Under The UAE

On accommodation, the group expanded its partnerships with JA Hotels & Resorts, Ishraq Hospitality and Aleph Hospitality and deepened its work with Silkhaus, which brings vacation homes into a portfolio that has so far leaned on hotels. Jazeera Airways signed a strategic partnership intended to widen the Kuwaiti carrier’s reach and encourage earlier bookings, tied to Kuwait’s own tourism ambitions.

The company moved into a larger Dubai office earlier this year and describes its long-term aim as a two-way ecosystem: sending Middle East travelers abroad while drawing international visitors in.

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