DOHA, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Qatar National Tourism Council (NTC) has discussed the country's tourism projects and initiatives, particularly amid the ongoing siege, said state-run Qatar News Agency (QNA) on Monday.
The discussion came during the first meeting of NTC since its establishment in November, chaired by Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of State for Internal Affairs Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al Thani.
During the meeting, the board of the NTC reviewed the summary of the National Tourism Sector Strategy 2017-2023 and the governance of the new tourism sector.
Al Thani also stressed the need to continue to complete the legislative and administrative procedures for the full establishment of the NTC.
Last year, Qatar announced many policies to promote and boost tourism growth in Qatar by opening up new markets such as China, India and Russia.
The measures adopted by Doha to facilitate tourists included the launch of the electronic travel authorization, a 96-hour transit visa, an online platform for processing visa applications and visa waiver for nationals of more than 80 countries.
Qatar has been under a siege by some of its powerful Arab neighbors, including Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt, since June 5, 2017.
The four countries accused Doha of funding "terrorism" and fermenting regional instability, cutting all land, air and sea links to the country.
Qatar, however, has denied the charges.
