DOHA: Qatar’s private tourism sector has achieved one of the lowest levels of job Qatarisation due to factors such as culture, tradition and low salaries.
It needs government support to attract locals for sustainable growth and development, say experts and businessmen from the industry.
“Representation of Qataris is very low in the tourism sector, and we would like to see more as they can be the true ambassadors of local culture and tradition. But there are several factors, such as wrong perceptions about the nature of job and low salaries, hindering nationals from joining the industry,” Mohammed Hussain Al Mulla, Chairman, Al Mulla Travel and Tourism company, was quoted as saying by local Arabic daily Al Raya yesterday.
He said: “There is a misunderstanding among locals that working in the industry only means serving the guests. There are a lot of jobs, including administration, accounts and supervisory-related works which can be suitable for locals, but they need to be provided with proper education, training and other attractions to take up jobs in the sector.”
He said the government should invite the world’s leading tourism universities and institutions to open branches to make education and training more accessible and affordable.
With the opening of Hamad International Airport, coupled with large number of hotels, Qatar is emerging as one of the most favourite destinations of tourists in the region.
Abdulaziz Al Emadi, former vice-chairman, Qatar Chamber, said: “The number of local employees in the industry is negligible, especially in the private sector, due to low salaries. However, there is a plan to achieve Qatarisation with government support.”
Hotels comprise an important part of the industry, but there are very few locals to represent the culture and tradition at these facilities, as citizens prefer to take up jobs in other sectors of the energy-rich economy which provide better opportunities and facilities.
“Nearly 60 percent of hospitality businesses do not have national employees, and Qatarisation in the sector is not more than four percent of the labour force,” said Al Emadi.
He said government-backed hotels and companies, such as Katara Hospitality, have achieved good levels of Qatarisation, which can also be achieved in case of private hotels provided if the government supports them.
With more hotel rooms joining the industry, the average tariffs of five-star rooms have declined to QR721 (in 2014) from QR814 last year. However, room rates continue to remain one of the highest in the region.
Despite the opening of new hotels in the recent past, the occupancy rate has increased to 74 percent during the first half of 2014 from over 67 percent during the same period last year.
The combined income of five- and four-star hotels stood at QR1.98bn, up 4 percent growth (year-on-year) and the income of three-star hotels, which are developing fast, reached QR82.51m. The average room rates of four-star to one-star hotels ranged between QR389 and QR212.
Mohammed Kazim Al Ansari, another businessman, said: “Qataris need government support so that they are encouraged to join the sector.
“There is also the need to ensure our students receive education and training from the world’s best institutes,” he added.
The Peninsula
