BY SACHIN KUMAR
DOHA: Hotels are expected to witness healthy business in the current year due to the increasing number of tourists and no major hotels planning to open in the country.
Occupancy ratio of hotels in 2014 is likely to be around 75 percent compared to 50 to 60 percent in previous years.
“We expect the average occupancy rates of hotels in Doha and neighbouring areas to be around 73-75 percent in 2014.
“Rise in the number of tourists was a main factor for higher occupancy. Also, no major hotel has opened so far in the current year which has proved good for existing hotels,” Edward Brooks, Senior Director, DTZ Middle East, told this daily.
Average occupancy rates in 2013 increased to 61 percent compared to 54 percent over 2012.
Currently, there are around 110 hotels and serviced apartment properties which are rated two to five stars.
The hospitality sector is heavily dependent on business tourism and hotels get majority of their business from visitors attending exhibitions, conferences, seminars and other such events.
The hospitality sector sees high fluctuations with business going low during Ramadan and reaching peak in winter.
“Coming months are very crucial for hotels. Many official events happen during November, December, January and February,” said a senior official of a hotel.
Qatar Tourism Authority released a new Qatar National Tourism Sector Strategy Plan: 2030 in February 2014.
The plan outlines public and private investment of $40bn to $45bn on tourism-related projects up to 2030 to increase the number of tourist arrivals from 1.2 million in 2012 to 6.m7-7.4m by 2030.
The plan also aims to diversify the tourism market, which relies heavily on business-related travel and visitors from other GCC countries.
Arrivals from the GCC accounted for 70 percent of all visitors to Qatar in 2012.
The plan also aims to increase visitors from outside the GCC to 64 percent by 2030.
The Peninsula
