Qatar hotel occupancy rises to 57% during Q3

Hotel occupancy rates in Qatar, the Gulf state due to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, stood at little over half during the third quarter of the year, according to official data.

Figures published by Qatar Tourism Authority showed that average hotel occupancy crept up to 57 percent between July and September, up marginally from 50 percent compared to the year ago period. During the quarter the overall inventory rose by 600 rooms.

The statistics also highlighted a dearth of mid-market options for visitors to the Gulf state, with more than 86 percent of Qatar’s current room inventory of 13,500 made up of four or five-star properties. Revenue derived from these properties increased by 13.8 percent to QR703.1m ($193m).

Authorities in Qatar are expected to spend $200bn on developing infrastructure over the next decade as the country prepares to host the FIFA World Cup. Forecasts from accountancy giant Deloitte put the amount Qatar will spend on developing tourism and hospitality facilities at $20bn, with the month-long soccer tournament expected to attract around 400,000 international visitors to the tiny state.

The 2010 decision to award the World Cup to the country has been embroiled in controversy over a myriad of issues including labour rights and Qatar’s summer climate.