St. Regis Doha's GCC business rose 39% in 2015

The St. Regis Doha EAM - rooms Saleh Bataineh revealed that the GCC is an increasingly important source market for the property, with the hotel showing a 39% increase in business from domestic guests over the last year.

Bataineh told Hotelier Qatar: "The GCC [market] is a huge market for us. The QTA announced that the year-on-year increase in GCC business in 2015 has been 40% across Qatar."

He continued: "That's huge and we recognise that. Having understood how much that affects our business, we strategised to aim our efforts towards the GCC market.

"Our increase at our hotel has been aligned with [QTA's figures] so we have seen a 39% increase in GCC business in the last year."

Bataineh said that within the GCC market, Saudi Arabia is the biggest source market, followed by Kuwait and the UAE.

He credits the location as being one of the attractions for domestic tourists, and added: "When the hotel was built, it was built in mind for the GCC market. We have big rooms and 11 F&B outlets, with the suites and rooms created with families in mind."

The St. Regis Doha has also been creating special packages and offers for the local market, and Bataineh said: "People like these offers; it increases our business and guests feel we are giving back to them."

The hotel has recently hosted fam trips from Saudi Arabia, along with hosting 10 travel agencies from across the GCC, and participating in QTA roadshows to increase its awareness in the local market.

Bataineh said the increase has been excellent, and the hotel team is aiming to stay consistent. "We always work in line with QTA, which is a great support for us. If we can duplicate our success [in this year], that would be great."