Doha is beginning to attract more leisure visitors, although hoteliers say more attractions are needed.
Promoting Destination Qatar
In February 2014, the Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) unveiled its Qatar National Tourism Sector Strategy 2030, aimed at promoting the country as a destination, with a particular focus on its culture and heritage.
One year on, Grand Hyatt Doha general manager Christophe Franzen is in an ebullient mood about the impact of the QTA’s efforts.
“It had a huge effect,” he enthuses. “For the first time since I am in Doha I have seen Germans, British and Swiss tourists coming to us, spending their Christmas and New Year’s vacation with us. Momentum and awareness is building. Hotels need to support this and also attend the major exhibitions along with QTA.”
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He has also seen more business as a result of the expansion of Qatar Airways’ network and a reduction in flight prices. “We definitely did have more guests who opted for a few days stop-over en route to Europe or Asia/Australia,” he explains. “This area still has a lot of potential and I know QTA is working on this.”
McShane agrees that the initial phase of the strategy, which continues to 2018, appears to be yielding results. “We have seen a significant improvement in sports and cultural activities for example,” he says. “Things will naturally accelerate as supporting infrastructure develops.”
Meanwhile, Hewett draws a link between the strategy and efforts to assuage concerns about overcapacity in the hotel sector.
He says: “This plan has given hoteliers and tourism professionals greater confidence that the QTA is working on creating a long-term tourism plan which is focused on the development and growth of the destination well beyond the FIFA World Cup and World Athletic Championships in 2019 and 2022.”
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
Event: Hotelier Middle East Qatar Hospitality Summit
Date: April 22, 2015
Venue: Grand Hyatt Doha
Format: A one-day event with keynote addresses, debates and discussions, workshops and networking opportunities for all attendees
Attendance: By invitation only based on designation, and free to hotel GMs and hotel department heads. To request an invite, please contact Amanda.Elisha@itp.com or call +971 4 444 3463
Sponsorship opportunities: To gain direct access to decision makers, there are a range of sponsorship packages available. For more information, please contact Stephen.Price@itp.com or call +971 4 444 3246
Speaker opportunities: Some speaking slots are still available. Please register your interest with Louby.Maktari@itp.com or call +971 4 444 3578
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