Doha, October 06 (QNA) - Qatar Tourism hosted the second session of its "Taste of Qatar: Spotlight on Qatari Entrepreneurs" program.

The event brought together Qatari entrepreneurs and chefs to exchange insights, share experiences and explore opportunities to further advance Qatar's restaurant and hospitality sector.

The session highlighted the contribution of local talent and homegrown brands to Qatar's evolving culinary landscape, while reinforcing the role of entrepreneurship and innovation in raising sector standards and enriching the visitor experience.

Director of Operations Affairs at Qatar Tourism Omar Abdulrahman Al Jaber participated in a dedicated conversation on Qatar Tourism's vision for the restaurant sector and the role of Qatari entrepreneurs in shaping the country's culinary offering.

He said: "The culinary sector is a genuine expression of Qatar's identity, culture and time-honoured hospitality, as well as a vital economic sector with promising opportunities for growth and investment. To this end, we are building an integrated ecosystem that supports the sector's development and instils a culture of excellence, through initiatives and programs that raise standards of quality and service and enable business owners to develop distinctive, competitive experiences that attract visitors".

"Qatari restaurants and brands also play an important role in shaping the destination's story and offering visitors authentic experiences that embody our culture and identity and reflect the wealth of tourism, heritage and cultural assets Qatar has to offer," he said.

Director of Public Relations and Communications at Visit Qatar Jassim Al Mahmoud said: "With this session, we wanted to create a rich space for dialogue and the exchange of views, and to highlight stories of creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship in the restaurant and culinary arts sector. Taste of Qatar, which we launched last year, reinforces this approach by celebrating excellence, encouraging innovation and establishing high-quality standards, helping to elevate the restaurant and hospitality sector and strengthen Qatar's position as a global culinary destination".

The event featured two panel discussions. The first explored the journey of Qatari entrepreneurs, examining their success stories, the challenges they have navigated and how they have transformed innovative ideas into successful and scalable businesses.

The Taste of Qatar initiative reflects Qatar Tourism's commitment to developing the country's restaurant and culinary sector as an integral part of the visitor experience. Through the program, Qatar Tourism is providing a platform to showcase local talent, homegrown brands and Qatar's distinctive flavours, culture and hospitality to the world. (QNA)