DOHA: Many respondents to the Al Sharq weekly survey have revealed that high hotel prices remain as a major obstacle to tourism development in the country.
A total of 67 percent respondents say that affords taken by the Qatar Tourism Authority to promote tourism industry is not sufficient and only 33 percent of them have agreed that enough steps has been taken.
Meanwhile, 83 percent respondents have revealed that concern authorities should take more steps to promote the tourism sector, while another 17 percent has said steps taken by the authority is sufficient.
A majority of 88 percent respondents have expressed dissatisfaction with the high hotel prices and said it was not supporting the domestic tourism industry.
Hasssan Al Hakeem a respondent to the survey said that the strategic location of Qatar is attractive for tourism but the industry needs to be promoted well.
“Only thing we lack is marketing to activate visitors. We need collaboration with hotels to reduce prices and must take advantage of events such as conferences and exhibitions taking place in Qatar and encourage visitors,” he said.
Mariam Ahmed Abdullah another respondent said that in recent time, hotels are attracting more families especially during Eid.
However, she said that there is not enough publicity given for the events like other Arab countries and Qatar need to do more activities to promote tourism.
Some are in the opinion that expensive hotel rates even force people to choose other countries as holiday destinations.
Abdul Fathar said that tourism programmes and activities in summer are not even known. Also hotels and resorts are very expensive so people prefer other countries to spend holidays.
“Hotel prices are very high that only few people can afford it. Also we need to organise more festivals and cultural events to attract people such as inviting celebrities in different fields as arts, sports and culture.
Speaking to Al Sharq daily, Hamd Al Quwaizi, a CMC member said that there is an improvement in the tourism industry but further development is needed.
“We must also look into ways to enhance safety levels at malls and other places and pay more attention to develop beaches as tourist destinations.”
The Peninsula
