BY RAYNALD C RIVERA
DOHA: With the burgeoning Qatari tourism sector expected to see a 127,000-workforce by 2030, there has been growing interest among Qataris to join the sector.
“Qataris are keen to join the tourism sector,” said Hassan Al Ibrahim, Director of Strategy Development and head of the tourism development committee at Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA). He was speaking to the media on the sidelines of a press conference to announce the ‘Tourism in Tomorrow’s World’ conference next month.
“The Tour Guide Licence Programme has been a success; there were so many people who applied for it so we made a shortlist because we cannot provide training to all at once.”
Launched last year in partnership with Stenden University Qatar (SUQ), the programme seeks to develop Qatari professional guides by training them in tourism, Qatari history and heritage and communication skills, among others.
“Qatar is approaching tourism more openly than before. We know that tourism offers opportunities and we are very keen to invest in Qatarisation,” he said.
Besides QTA, there are many institutions in the country that offer jobs in the field of tourism such as Katara, Qatar Museums Authority and Souq Waqif.
Stressing huge opportunities in the sector, he said, “Our forecast in QTA is there will be around 127,000 people working in the tourism sector by 2030.” Currently, the sector has 20,000 plus workforce. As part of the Qatar Tourism Sector Strategy 2030, QTA focuses on human capital development with training and education programmes to be announced soon.
“Sectorial human capital development is also a priority of QTA. With the number of hotels and other tourism products and services under development, Qatar’s hospitality industry will be able to offer young people ambitious roles in international groups to provide a meaningful career path for life,” said Al Ibrahim.
Last month Josoor Institute was launched, involving Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee, QTA, Qatar University, Silatech and other partners to focus on sectors, including tourism and hospitality, he said.
Professor Robert Coelen, Vice-President International & Executive Dean of SUQ, echoed similar views and said at the moment around 240 Qatari students were enrolled in the university which specialises in hospitality, tourism and business management.
“We have around 100 to 120 graduates each year; 50 percent of them Qataris,” Prof Coelen said.
SUQ is planning to expand its programme to offer a new MBA and Executive Hotel Management Master’s programme in conjunction with US universities soon.
The Peninsula
