Qatar
is one of the fastest growing markets in the Gulf, with business and
leisure tourism on the ascendant as the country develops its
infrastructure as part of a US$65 billion investment plan ahead of
its hosting of the 2022 football World Cup.
According
to Qatar Tourism, the official government body, the country is
entering a sustained decade-long period of development and growth,
with over 85,000 new hotel rooms set to bolster current inventory by
2022. Alpen Capital’s October 2012 GCC Hospitality
Industry Report highlighted the ‘slow but
steady’ growth in tourism receipts, which saw a CAGR of 15.9% in
the period 2002 to 2011.
“Tourist
arrivals in Qatar are expected to rise at a CAGR of 1.9% between now
and 2022, and the government’s US$65 billion commitment to
infrastructure development has proved to be a major incentive for
long term investment by leading hospitality providers,” said Mark
Walsh, Portfolio Director, Reed Travel Exhibitions.
In
2012, the capital added to its upscale inventory, with the opening of
the St Regis Doha and new InterContinental Doha The City, as well as
the country’s first Hilton
hotel. A second Four Seasons hotel is currently
under development and budget brands
are making an appearance with the popular Premier Inn chain debuting
on the city outskirts later this year. Currently the luxury
segment accounts
for between 66 and 78% of supply while,
mid-scale and economy supply is between 22 and 34%.
“Tourist
arrivals in Qatar are expected to rise at a CAGR of 1.9% between now
and 2022, and the government’s US$65 billion commitment to
infrastructure development has proved to be a major incentive for
long term investment by leading hospitality providers,” said Mark
Walsh, Portfolio Director, Reed Travel Exhibitions.
Qatar
has an exceptionally strong presence at this year’s ATM show with
major organisations such as Qatar Tourism Authority, Katara
Hospitality and Qatar Airways all participating.
“Katara
Hospitality alone has more than 4,000 hotel rooms already operational
or under construction and with the introduction of more and
more budget properties, Qatar is committed to the
development of a well-rounded tourism product in line with the 2030
national vision for a sustainable economy,” he added.
Hotel
room capacity in Qatar is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.1% over the
next five years, hitting US$1.1 billion by 2016 (up from US$0.6
billion in 2011). The country’s national carrier, Qatar Airways
will launch six new routes in H1 2013, growing its current network to
123 key destinations. Ground has also been broken on the new US$14
million Doha metro network.
“As
world-class infrastructure projects gives rise to new economic
opportunity, with tourist arrivals expected to reach as a many as 3.7
million by 2022, Qatar will see a transition from a predominantly
business-led visitor profile to a stronger business-leisure mix
with the
football World Cup a
milestone marker for the hospitality
and tourism industry,”
commented Walsh.
Held
under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al
Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of
Dubai, 2013 will see the show celebrate two decades of success.
Covering
the entire week, the popular Seminar Theatre programme will address
industry hot topics from developments in the aviation sector, inbound
and outbound trends as well as the development of tourism over the
last 20 years of Arabian Travel Market.
The
line-up for this year’s Arabian Travel Market will once again bring
together the UNWTO regional tourism ministers’ conference and the
WTM Vision forum, which will focus on Middle East travel trends and
the online travel market.
