The tourism industry in Qatar is experiencing rapid growth with milestones in different industries. The tourism sector in the country is a lucrative area for developers and companies. Akbar Al Baker, Secretary-General of Qatar National Tourism Council (QNTC) and Group Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Airways announced that the development was 11 percent in January-31 August 2019 compared to the same period in 2018.
“We are actively collaborating with our partners in both the public and private sector to enact policies to improve the tourism environment that helps generate new sustainable business development and employment. With a steady development of 11 percent as of August 2019, the tourism industry in Qatar has proved a lucrative sector for developers and companies, “Al-Baker added.
Qatar was recently put in the top eight in market climate in the Middle East by the Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Survey 2019 of the World Economic Forum.
Qatar Airways has opened up five new destinations connecting Hamad International Airport (HIA) with the globe. The new routes that Qatar Airways introduced in May include Izmir, Turkey and Rabat, Morocco and later in June with Davao, Philippines, Malta and Lisbon, Portugal.
As the path network grows, HIA looks forward to hosting an growing amount of passengers on the state-of-the-art facility in Qatar on a special passenger voyage across the worlds of arts, entertainment and hospitality.
In the second quarter of 2019, HIA has registered handling 9,38 million travelers, rendering it the busiest second quarter of the airport.
In the influential Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards 2019, HIA has won second place. First awarded in 2017, HIA continues to establish itself as a leading international aviation center with redefined experiences at airports for travelers from around the globe.
“We are really happy to be known as our faithful passengers for HIA’s flawless airport experience,” said Badr Mohammed Al Meer, Chief Operating Officer at HIA. The World’s Second-Best Airport is an outstanding feat and a testimony to the strong international performance of HIA. Although this is a wonderful acknowledgment we never depend on our successes and we continually grow to give our passengers a true unique experience.
HIA’s exclusive shopping and restaurant deal is constantly expanding across 40,000 m2 of integrated supermarket, food and drink offerings.
The hospitality industry is also rising with the growing number of hotels in Qatar.
Katara Hospitality, the flagship hospitality company of the region, is continuing to grow its portfolio of iconic hotels to develop, acquire and sustain its powerful role as the business market leaders in the hospitality industry in Qatar. It went from 362 keys in 1970 to 7896 keys in 2019.
Katara Hospitality ‘s accelerated growth is also mirrored in the amount of employment it offers. Katara Hospitality has seen a 400 percent growth in staff since 2011. It hires 6,499 individuals, of whom 2,680 are from Qatar.
The company’s next corporate aim now is to increase its portfolio of legendary hotels to 60 properties by 2026 as its previous aim has been met by two years. In Qatar, it has dominated the hospitality landscape for over four decades and now forms part of the national infrastructure that is rising along with the growth of the region.
Katara Hospitality is now heading spectacular new initiatives which will redefine the country’s luxurious hospitality architecture and presentation. Katara Towers in the Lusail Marina District is one of the organization’s main initiatives, currently under way. It is an artistic translation of Qatar’s nation seal. Katara Towers feature twin arched towers that climb gracefully from the top of the podium and reflect the crossed swords of the country’s screen with a five-star ultra-luxury hotel and branded apartments. The hospitality complex is going to become the hospitality symbol of the 21st century with its unbelievable architecture, with its landscaped garden and palm trees. Al Messila Resort & Spa and Salwa Beach Resort will soon both be added to the traveler and tourist must-visit list.
Cruise tourism is also a promising sub-category of the tourism sector of the world with recent encouraging changes.
In the 2018-19 season, Doha Port received a record number of passengers. During the season, Doha Port received 144,707 passengers and crew on 44 ships. The increase in the number of visitors was attributed to the interest of the major cruise ships in Doha and the construction of larger cruise ships to Doha.
Qatar aims at improving its tourism through cruise passengers and Doha Port aims to draw half a million cruise passengers by 2022.
The nation is also on course to see a major jump in corporate and athletic tourism hosting world-class activities such as the 17th IAAF World Championships and the much awaited 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Some 137 activities, including foreign conventions, exhibits and other business-related events, were organized in 2018.
In recent problems, various tourists were drawn to the annual activities and festivals such as Qatar International Food Festival, Hospitality Qatar, Shop Qatar and the Summer in Qatar.
The country’s tourism industry is projected to grow further, produce more employment and contribute to the nation’s economy with QNTC ‘s innovative leadership, strong roadmap and ambitious ventures along with collaboration with different stakeholders.
