Weathering the storm of falling oil prices was at the core of a panel discussion featuring hospitality experts at Qatar Hospitality Summit 2016.
Tourism contributed the equivalent of US $3.7 billion to the Qatari economy in 2015, however, with the recent plummeting oil prices affecting all sectors within the region, tourism and the hospitality sector will inevitably take a hit also if oil prices continue to fall.
“Qatar hospitality is extremely reliant on corporate business – we are under pressure, and our clients are under pressure, so it’s time to be creative, during economic storms in the past we always come out stronger, but perhaps we have been spoilt in the past,” said Shangri-La Doha general manager Coen Masselink.
Last year a record-breaking number of guests visited to Qatar, reaching 2.93 million, indicating that Qatar is increasingly gaining significance in the global hospitality market and a key emerging destination in the region.
“With Qatar Airways expanding, along with the new airport, I’m optimistic; if we see the Euro becoming stronger we will see more arrivals. We also offer great three- and four-star properties in Qatar – you don’t see the offerings we have here being offered elsewhere, and we have great restaurant concepts here too that you don’t see in other destinations,” said W Doha Hotel Qatar area manager Safak Guvenc.
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“The only way to retain your position in the market is by looking after your guests. With inconsistency in the market, I think you can only attract people if you deliver consistency in your product and give people exactly what they expect,” said IHG - InterContinental Doha general manager and regional general manager Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait Andreas Pfister.
“This is a quality destination – maintaining the rate is the result of looking after the guests – this will help ramp up the business and then we can survive better,” added Pfister.
Pfister added: “People will always go back to the places where promises were delivered. Brand is brand in my opinion, luxury will always maintain quality and clientele – if you maintain service, people will continue to pay for your package, even during downturn; this will be the challenge in Doha – rather than dropping prices, maintain your service proposition.”
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