DOHA: Figen Caglar is the Director of Sales and Marketing, Shangri-La Hotel Doha. Figen has more than 23 years of experience in the hospitality industry. She is fluent in English, Turkish and German. Her expertise ranges from an array of different departments in hospitality, including guest relations management, marketing and sales. During her career, Figen had extensive working experience with a number of high-end luxury brands in Istanbul, including Shangri-La Bosphorus, Istanbul.
As you recently moved to Qatar from Turkey, how do you view the business market in Qatar?
Qatar is one of the wealthiest nations of the world in terms of income per person, Qatar’s progressive vision for the year 2030 in which the State aims to create a sustainable economy and advance the standard of living of its people, means that the country is witnessing a rapid growth across various sectors both public and private. Qatar is fortifying its presence in the international arena and the country’s swiftly growing tourist industry and the number of airlines flying in and out each day has increased dramatically over the last five years. I am very excited to be joining the team in Doha, especially at a time when the city is booming with developments and in the midst of such flourishing commercial relationships between Qatar and Turkey.
What are your views on Qatar’s development? And what are your expectations for the hotels in Doha in the future?
Qatar is expanding across all sectors and this of course has a positive impact on hospitality. The volume of business is growing tremendously and Qatar Airways is increasing the number of destinations and their stopover programme is fantastic. I must also commend the Qatar Tourism Authority which plays a key role in the effort to develop the tourism segment in Qatar and is constantly organising exciting events to draw tourism.
With the fierce competition between hotels in Doha, what will make your hotel unique?
We stress on the importance of personalised service, while the guest is in the hotel our team is on a mission to learn and remember their preferences. A sincere thank you and genuine goodbye will make every guest look forward to come back.
What are the hotel’s most important features which make it different from the rest?
The hotel offers the largest deluxe rooms with wall-sized windows overlooking West Bay. The Horizon Club Lounge is the largest executive lounge in Qatar with 360-degree panoramic view complete with an exclusive gym to Horizon Club and Suites guests. Shanghai Club which is due to open soon will be the only Chinese Restaurant in Qatar with 100% Chinese kitchen brigade.
The hotel portrays the spirit of Qatar like the Falcon which greets guests in the lobby, housing a beehive at the hotel which produces 100% made in Qatar honey and supporting Qatari talent though the Qatari Photography Exhibition currently on display at the hotel.
What qualities does Doha have that can support its ambition to grow tourism?
Doha is a vibrant city. It has the Museum of Islamic Arts, the charmingly unique Souq Waqif, and one of a kind Sealine where the desert meets the sea and the dashing sand dunes. Doha is fantastic for outdoor activities. And for sports enthusiasts there is a major sport event happening in Doha almost every month so there is plenty to do and see.
What is the hospitality sector in Qatar lacking compared to the rest of the world?
Actually if you compare the standards in hospitality for Europe and the Middle East in general and Qatar in particular you will find they are much higher here. The average room size in Europe is 28sqm here its 45 sqm, the service standards, the quality of the product and even when it comes to dining, a typical hotel in Europe will have one or two restaurants but our hotel will have seven.
What special plans does the hotel offer for Eid?
There are plenty of reasons to celebrate the Eid break with family and loved ones at Shangri-La Hotel Doha. From only QR995, Shangri-La Hotel Doha’s Eid offer includes free buffet breakfast and dinner, 25% discount on all food & beverage and spa treatments.
The Peninsula
