DOHA: A majority of respondents to an online survey Al Sharq conducted on whether tourism facilities were adequate and attractive in the country, replied in the negative.
Tourist spots in the country were not up to the mark, said 56 percent of the respondents, while 23 percent said they were good, with the remaining 21 percent describing the facilities as average.
Regarding the development of tourism resorts, 61 percent of the respondents said there was not any remarkable advancement, 32 percent said they could see development taking place, while the remaining seven percent said they were undecided.
Regarding the future of the tourism sector, 34 percent of those interviewed said they expected that the sector would witness a boom in the coming years, whereas 45 percent said that they did not expect any changes, with 21 percent saying they had no views to express on the issue.
“I have not seen any remarkable development in the tourism sector for five years,” said a local businessman, Mohammad Al Qahtani.
The authorities concerned should pay enough attention to boost the tourism industry by organising activities and programmes, said another businessman, Jamal Abdullah Al Suwaidi.
He suggested that the authorities concerned organise different tourism promotion programmes, especially in the summer and winter months, and try to provide discounted air tickets and hotel rooms to attract tourists.
A regional manager of an Arab airline said that while tourism facilities were okay in the country, hotels were quite expensive. “We need hotel rooms for all categories of tourists. We need cheaper hotel rooms as well if we want to promote tourism,” said the manager.
Qatar is located strategically so the country needs varied tourism facilities to attract more and more foreign tourists.
“Qatar is located between the West and the East so the location is strategic, so we need more development here,” said Hassan Al Hakim, a businessman.
Qatar’s tourism sector has been witnessing a boom. “Take the example of Corniche. How developed it is now compared to the previous years!” said Saleh Al Marri, disputing the claims of those who have been saying that the tourism development projects are not in sight.
The Peninsula
