The Qatar Government has announced that it will add 105 new hotels and apartment hotels to its tourism portfolio as it gears up to host the FIFA World Cup from November next year.
Anticipating visitor demand for the World Cup and years beyond, the new properties aim to broaden Qatar's appeal to a range of travellers and enhance the visitor experience as Qatar Tourism continues its mission to turn the country into a world-class destination.
Explaining that the Arabian Gulf nation aims to use the tournament to showcase its rapid expansion from a small pearl-diving enclave to Gulf metropolis and transit hub, Akbar Al Baker, Chairman of Qatar Tourism and Chief Executive and Chairman of Qatar Airways, commented “we are continuing to expand our tourism offer to ensure guests enjoy the best of Qatari hospitality while being able to choose a hotel, resort or serviced apartment that accommodates to their budget and needs.
“These upcoming properties are part of our strategy to diversify our offering and broaden our appeal to visitors. We are pleased to expand our global tourism offer in line with Qatar National Vision 2030 and provide travellers with more options to experience the very best of Qatar."
Banyan Tree Doha, a five-star luxury property, recently opened while hotel openings on this year's horizon include the Pullman Doha West Bay, a five-star Accor property, the JW Marriott West Bay and the Steigenberger Hotel which will add to Qatar's 184-property-strong portfolio of nearly 32,000 room keys.
Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary-General of the Committee for Delivery and Legacy that’s building the infrastructure behind the 2022 World Cup, said last month that the nation expects the World Cup tournament to provide an economic boost, noting “we anticipate the contribution to the economy essentially would be around about US$20 billion.”
The sum is equivalent to about 11% of the country’s gross domestic product in 2019.
Stadium construction for the World Cup accounts for a small fraction of the infrastructure spending that Qatar is undertaking ahead of the event, with other projects including a metro system, an airport expansion, and the construction of a new suburbs.
About the author
Nigel Benton
Co-owner / Publisher, Australasian Leisure Management
Nigel Benton is the co-owner and publisher of Australasian Leisure Management, Australia and New Zealand’s only magazine for professionals in all areas of the leisure industry. Having established the magazine in 1997, shortly after his relocation to Australia, he has managed its readership rising to over 11,500 and its acceptance as the industry journal for professionals in aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues.
As of 2020, he has launched the new Asian Leisure Business website.
Among a range of published works and features, his comments on a Blog (blogspot) from 2007 to 2011, when this website went live in its current form, may be interesting to reflect back on.
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