The local hospitality sector saw a major boost in the second quarter of the year with the opening of several hotels and the arrival of tourists. According to a study conducted by ValuStrat, hotel occupancy rates across Qatar increased by 29 percent compared to the period of hotel occupancy growth. Mr. Anum Hasan, Head of Research for Qatar at ValuStrat, said that tourist arrivals increased by 26 percent year-on-year, contributing to a 38 percent year-on-year increase in RevPAR.
According to Qatar Tourism data, the total hospitality stock is estimated at 39,915, of which, 66 percent of the total stock consists of 4-5 star hotels, while 8 percent is classified within the 3-4 star segment.
Rami Al-Jabri: Qatar is the preferred destination for family tourism
Mr. Rami Al-Jabri, General Manager of Element by Westin City Center and Element by Westin West Bay, said: “Qatar has become the preferred tourist destination for families from all over the world, thanks to its solid and integrated tourism infrastructure, in addition to the transportation network and system that facilitates access to all tourist attractions and destinations, in addition to the diversity of the components of the tourism product, as well as the tremendous efforts made by Qatar Tourism and Qatar Airways in marketing and promoting the quality of the tourism product in all tourism export markets throughout the year. He indicated that all these reasons contributed to the influx of tourists to Doha, which was then reflected positively on all service institutions related to the tourism sector, including the hotel sector.
Rami Al-Jabri said, “The local hotel system is keen to continue to grow occupancy rates by achieving new innovations in services and harmony with advanced techniques and technology in the field of hotel reservations, marketing and promotion of hotel services, pointing out that Qatar Tourism and Qatar Airways are always pioneers in introducing the quality of the tourism product in all international forums and conferences.”
- Ali Ahmed: Continuous marketing contributed to the increase in hotel occupancy
Mr. Ali Ahmed, General Manager of Simaisma Resort, said: “There is no doubt that the steady increase in the number of visitors and tourists from different countries of the world, especially from the tourism market of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries to Qatar, has had a significant impact on the growth of occupancy rates in the hotel sector. In this context, he pointed out that Qatar Tourism and Qatar Airways played an effective and major role in the arrival and quality of the local tourism product to all global tourism export markets, in addition to the direct promotional and marketing efforts of the hotel sector system through its websites and through its participation in global promotional forums through which it met with international tourism export companies and the elite of international tourism decision-makers who praised the components of the local tourism industry, its diversity and its ability to acquire a share of the international tourism market.
Ali Ahmed said, “The great boom and influx in the number of visitors contributed to the increase in hotel occupancy rates compared to last year 2023, adding that the new hotel establishments witnessed by the local market played a prominent role in enhancing competition between hotels and highlighting the best services, which was well received and admired by visitors and tourists, noting that the Simaisma Resort, which is considered one of the most prominent family resorts, always works through modern mechanisms to develop its product and innovate new ones while respecting the privacy, customs and traditions that distinguish it from other resorts.”
Amin Al-Darawsheh: Introducing the global markets exporting tourism to the local product
Mr. Amin Al Darawsheh, Director of the Torch Hotel, said: “Qatar Tourism and Qatar Airways have played a significant and fruitful role in introducing the world to the components of the local tourism industry and the quality of the tourism product, for which many tourism establishments have received awards and certificates of appreciation from international institutions concerned with evaluating the operational performance of the international hotel sector. Their efforts have had a positive impact on the flow of tourists to Doha and this has been reflected in all facilities concerned with tourism, as hotel occupancy rates have increased and opportunities for restaurants and retail spaces in shopping malls to be filled.”
Amin Al-Darawsheh said, “The influx of tourists from the GCC tourist market has played an effective role in enhancing the progress of the hotel sector system, and the hotel’s innovations in services and creativity in providing them to guests have had a great impact in gaining the admiration and trust of tourists.” He pointed out in this context that the Torch Hotel is in the process of establishing an outdoor swimming pool to enhance its occupancy rate during the coming summer.
Al-Darawsheh said, “International hotel brands are competing to operate in the Doha market, which is considered one of the most vibrant and dynamic markets. He pointed out that the multiplicity of hotel brands in the market has created strong competition based on the quality of hotel standards, which ultimately serves the interests of the consumer. He added that Doha has become the main attraction capital for all international companies concerned with the hospitality industry. He pointed out that the efforts of Qatar Tourism, which is working intensively to consolidate Qatar’s position as one of the destinations, have made Doha hotels provide hospitality components with standards that are consistent and in harmony with international specifications, which has made Doha’s hotel establishments capture a large share of international awards granted by many international institutions interested in evaluating the operational performance of the international hotel sector.
For a detailed perspective on the property market, visit: Dubai - VPI Residential Capital Values - September 2024
