08:30: More than 100 general managers and other hoteliers are gathering in the Grand Hyatt Doha pre-function area ready for the start of the second annual Hotelier Middle East Qatar GM Debate.
09:00: ITP Publishing group editor – hospitality Louise Oakley welcomes the audience, thanking the sponsors and acknowledging the support of Qatar Tourism Authority.
09:05: Qatar Tourism Authority director of tourism Abdulla Malalla Al-Bader addresses the audience.
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The potential of Qatar’s tourism industry is huge, says Al Bader.
“Like in other parts of our booming economy, there has been growth in the hotel and hospitality sector over the years. You only have to look at high-profile openings in March and April,” he continues.
“Qatar is a leader in business travel and MICE, and as a tourist destination. The new Doha airport will open this year, as well as the expansion of the roads and other infrastructure developments.”
Al Bader mentions QTA’s latest effort to work with the hotel industry in the establishment of the Qatar Hotels Committee.
“The committee will bring nearly 60 general managers of five- and four-star hotels together with a mandate to ensure cooperation between hotels at the highest level,” he says.
09: 15: KEYNOTE PRESENTATION: Qatar’s hotel industry landscape – spotlight on the future.
THE FACTS - PERFORMANCE: TRI Hospitality Consulting MD Peter Goddard and consultant Christopher Hewett run through some interesting hotel statistics:
Doha hotel performance came second to Dubai in February in 2012 in terms of GOP-PAR according to TRI’s Hotstats data.
GOP-PAR was $192.62 across Doha hotels compared to $229.96 in Dubai hotels.
Average occupancy at Doha hotels was 67.1% compared to 85.2% in Dubai hotels
Average RevPAR at Doha hotels was US $163.35 compared to $266.16 at Dubai hotels.
THE FACTS – DOHA HOTEL MARKET:
- As of August 2011, there were 72 hotels in Qatar comprising 10,000 keys.
- Of these hotels, four- and five-star properties contribute 47% of the hotel mix and 81% of the rooms.
THE FACTS – FUTURE SUPPLY:
- Doha will get the largest influx of supply in the market in 2012 – a 20% increase in supply, just over 2100 rooms entering the market.
- A total of 77 hotels with 17,091 rooms are currently planned or under construction, according to Qatar Tourism Authority.
- Out of future supply – the majority (80-85%) will be rated four- and five-star. New brands include Missoni, Mandarin Oriental, Shangri La and Park Hyatt.
HOW WILL THE MARKET COPE…
TRI predicts:
- Market wide occupancies projected to fall throughout 2012 and into 2013 as new hotels enter the market.
- Demand is to absorb the new supply in 2014 with slight increases in occupancies in 2015.
- Competition for corporate, government, and MICE demand will intensify especially in West Bay.
- Average Daily Rates (ADR) are projected to fall as hotels try to maintain occupancy levels.
- “ADR will be the first casualty as more hotels come online,” says TRI’s Hewlett.
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Apr 12, 2013 , Jordan
I strongly advise that QNH and other major Hotels companies should have a good mix between 4-5-budget hotels, as the product mix is important to optimize sales impact in the industry, and in the national economy at large.
Apr 11, 2012 , United Kingdom
I would like to go there, how many Pearl Qatar hotels are there now?