Hotel revenues for 2010 trump 2008 figure in Qatar

Five-star hotels in Qatar achieved their highest revenues ever in 2010, recording total revenues of QR 1,808,724,266 (US $496,602,127.67), according to a report from the Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA).

Revenues at four star hotels totalled QR520,790,701 ($142,987,947), which exceeded the 2009 figure and nearly reached the 2008 total of QR521,805,875 ($143,266,672).

QTA chairman Ahmed Abdullah Al Nuaimi commented: “As for five-star hotels, revenues totalled QR1,808,724,266.63 ($496,602,127.67) in 2010 compared with QRs 1,590,753,104 ($436,756,110) in 2009 and QR 1,601,189,253 ($439,621,452) in 2008. This increase is due to better occupancy rates in 2010 coupled with higher spending on food and beverages,” the Chairman said.

There are currently 17 are five-star and 13 are four-star hotels in Qatar, compared to 12 five-star hotels and 11 four-star properties in 2008.

Taking into account all segments, there are 9574 hotel rooms available in Qatar — meaning more than 50,000 rooms will be needed to reach FIFA’s minimum World Cup accommodation requirement of 60,000 rooms by 2022 (although this accommodation does not have to be in the form of hotels – it could residential, compounds etc).

Only eight hotels opened in 2010 — significantly less than the targeted opening of approximately 40 hotels that was announced at Arabian Travel Market 2010.

The opening of many of the properties in the pipeline — such as a complex of three Marriott properties — has rolled over into 2011.

Al Nuami said: “Huge investments are pouring into Qatar’s hotel sector, as 45 new hotels and hotel apartment complexes will be launched by end of 2011, with an approximate capacity of 7089 hotel rooms and 1359 hotel apartments”.

He also said that occupancy had increased to 60% in 2010.

“This shows year-on-year growth in hotel bookings. Our figures show that the occupancy rate was put at 50% in 2009, after reaching 67% in 2008,” he said.

“New hotels were launched in Qatar in 2010 adding to the country’s hotel capacity. Nevertheless, we maintained a healthy occupancy rate, with a noticeable surge in 2009,” said Al Nuaimi.