Qatar hotel sector shows positive growth

According to new statistics released by Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA), the average occupancy rate in the state’s hotel sector for the first half of 2010 has risen by two percent in a year-on-year comparison.

Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) chairman Ahmed Al Nuaimi noted that the occupancy rate for the first half 2009 was 59%, compared to 61% in the first half 2010.

Commenting on the improvement, Al Nuaimi said the increase was “a sign of recovery of the hotel sector in the state from the world economic crisis of 2009”.

“In spite of the decline in indicators of the global tourism industry to its lowest status in 2009, Qatar’s interest in increasing tourism activities in the country by promoting various unique attractions regionally and abroad, and the interest in sports and cultural tourism, led to the positive results,” he continued.

“This recovery in the hotel sector can also be attributed to the continuous expansion in Qatar Airways routes around the world, and raising the size of the fleet.”

In addition to the positive occupancy rates result, the report indicated that revenues for four- and five-star hotels in the first half of 2010 exceeded revenues for the same period in 2008 and 2009.

Commenting on Qatar’s future, Al Nuaimi said: “QTA has developed short-term promotional plans to attract tourists targeted in the current circumstances, as well as to address changes at the global tourism level.

“We are focusing on the type of tourist to target for the future, not only by number but also including the length of stay and amount of money they spend.”

Qatar is predicted to have 42 new hotel facilities open by the end of this year.