11.10.2008
QATAR TO RECEIVE HEAVY INVESTMENT IN HOTEL INFRASTRUCTURE
Over the next four years, several hotel conglomerates will invest billions of dollars in a series of hotels and hospitality related developments in Qatar. The Four Seasons, Hyatt, Hilton, Intercontinental and other multinational hotel corporations are constructing new properties in Doha to meet the high demand. According to the Qatar Tourism Authority, a total of 22 new hotels will open by the summer of 2008 alone.
Qatar is one of the top five fastest growing economies in the world. As a result, Doha is building new infrastructure at a phenomenal rate. More than USD 100 billion in infrastructure and investment projects will be completed by 2012. The Qatar Master Plan envisions Qatar “as the academic centre, sports centre, and major tourist centre of the Middle East”. To achieve this vision, Doha is expanding its hotel and accommodation infrastructure dramatically and rapidly. By 2016, more than 80,000 rooms will be available, all guaranteed by the Government of Qatar. All of these rooms will be ready well in advance of 2016 regardless of the IOC's decision for a host city in 2009.
The Chairman of the Doha 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games Bid, Mr Hassan Ali Bin Ali, said that he is immensely pleased with the growth within the hospitality sector in Qatar and that as a result the country will become a more attractive destination for sports, business and tourism.
A survey conducted by the consultancy Deloitte showed that the Middle East hotel industry is one of the fastest growing hospitality sectors in the world. Revenues per available room (RevPar) increased by 17% in 2007, exceeding both Asia Pacific and Europe, with a promising outlook in the near future. According to the UN World Tourism Organisation, the Middle East recorded the largest percentage increase in tourism in 2007, surging 13 percent to 46 million arrivals. Furthermore, the World Travel and Tourism Council predict that the Middle East will be the only region to remain on course for 5 percent growth in travel and tourism this year.
“Qatar is one of the most exciting countries to visit in the Middle East. We have a rich culture and vibrant history, which can be traced back as far as 4000 BC. Visitors to Qatar have wonderful opportunities to explore the natural environment, take desert safaris, visit our ancient monuments, relax at our many beaches and pools or attend one of the many international sporting competitions held in Qatar annually. Whatever your interest, there is something for everyone in Qatar,” said Mr Hassan Ali Bin Ali.
By late 2009, the first phase of the New Doha International Airport (NDIA) will be open at a cost of USD 9.5 billion. NDIA will be the biggest airport in the Middle East with two parallel runways, an initial capacity of 24 million passengers per year and the ability to facilitate more than 50 million passengers per year upon completion.