Hotel signings gather pace in Qatar
Three hotel operators have announced properties for Qatar over the past month, with Centara and Warwick set to make brand debuts and Hilton Worldwide extending its presence.
Warwick International Hotels (WIH) signed a deal with Al Madaen Group for the Wawick Doha Hotel, with 164 rooms set to open by the end of 2014 and another 86 rooms to be added by 2017.
Al Madaen is investing QR 400mn (US $109.86) in the project, which is located in the heart of Doha city area in al Sadd.
In the West Bay, Thai operator Centara Hotels and Resorts has made its first move in the Middle East with Centara Grand West Bay Hotel Doha set to open in 2016. The 360-key property will be operated under a management contract for Al Bandary Hotel Management LLC.
Centara Hotels & Resorts senior vice president for sales and marketing Chris Bailey said:“This neighbourhood is emerging as a prime business and shopping area, and with Qatar growing as a business and leisure destination we are in a very strong marketing position and can offer our international guests yet another exciting destination.”
On The Pearl Qatar, First Qatar Real Estate Development Company has appointed Hilton Worldwide to manage a new property, the 445-room Hilton Doha The Pearl Residences, Qatar.
Hilton Hotels & Resorts global head Rob Palleschi said: “We’re tremendously excited to introduce our first property to the fashionable and popular Doha district of Pearl-Qatar island and welcome the opportunity to become part of its thriving community. We are confident this outstanding new landmark property will quickly become a favourite destination for residents and visitors.”
The 41-storey hotel is expected to open early 2017 and is the second residences style property planned by Hilton Worldwide for the Qatari capital.
In total, 7000 rooms are anticipated to enter the Qatar market by 2017, representing a 50% increase in the current supply of approximately 13,500 rooms.
TRI Hospitality senior consultant Chris Hewett said this could cause “some potential challenges especially if overall demand does not maintain the same pace of growth as supply, forcing down market wide occupancy levels and potentially average rates”.