The stand taken by Qatar to ban alcohol on The Pearl in Doha will force others to challenge the contradictions inherent in Arab tourism, argues Viability managing partner Guy Wilkinson
There has been no small concern in the Middle East tourism sectors over the last few months about some potentially negative effects of the Arab Spring.
While Dubai has been enjoying a true windfall of tourism demand over the last year thanks to its apparently ‘untouchable’ status within our otherwise notably destabilised region, several key competing tourism destinations in the region are undergoing natural developments resulting from the growth of democratic expression that could have a major impact on their tourism sectors in future.
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The most recent news is that Qataris concerned about immoral behaviour on their iconic showcase residential resort development, The Pearl Qatar, have influenced the government to ban the sale of alcohol there.
Already, F&B outlets there have reported reduced levels of business. Such occurrences may surprise new observers in the region, but for us old hands, they represent a resurgence of Qatar’s old, ambivalent attitude to alcohol.
Just a few years back, one could only find it in a few luxury hotels and clubs with strict entry procedures that kept out all but a few western expats who were deemed trustworthy of holding their liquor.
The fact that Qatar’s population has increased so fast over the last few years, primarily through a growth in expatriates, has evidently not changed the concerns of Muslims (and it’s probably true to say, decent people of all faiths) there over the many ill effects of alcohol consumption.
At the end of the day, regardless of how small a proportion the native Qataris represent within the total population of Qatar, it’s their country and we as foreign guests would do well to respect their opinions and decisions — regardless of any economic cost. It’s not a question of business.
Qatar is hardly the first Gulf state in which the local population has expressed its concerns over the sale of alcohol. It happened in 2010 in Bahrain, when political pressure groups forced the closure of the many bars and clubs in the one- and two-star hotels there.
Oman, despite in principle being ‘cool’ about alcohol, has also kept it confined to a relatively small number of hotels and restaurants. There is no need to mention Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Sharjah, in which alcohol is simply banned.
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Apr 2, 2012 , United Arab Emirates
Re: "Why has this article surfaced again on 2nd April 2012. It is dated mid-February 2012?: It has resurfaced as a 'related story' to today's news story, which helps put the most recent articles into context by showing you what similar stories have been written over the past few months. Thank...
Apr 2, 2012 , United Arab Emirates
Why has this article surfaced again on 2nd April 2012. It is dated mid-February 2012. Have you not got any other 'news'...? The chances of Qatar's ridiculous stance on matters involving the "A" word extending to other less strict nations in the Gulf is extremely unlikely. Indeed, the chances ...