DOHA: Qatar’s tourism industry maintained its growth momentum with significant increase in hotel occupancy rate and revenue in the second quarter of this year, figures released by the Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) showed yesterday.
QTA’s second quarter 2013 report revealed all key indicators of the tourism sector demonstrated growth from April to June compared with the same period last year.
Hotel occupancy rate rose from an average of 58 percent to 67 percent, despite a 4.5 percent increase in the number of rooms.
Total revenue in four- and five-star hotels increased by QR155.9m, with a staggering 20 percent increase in revenue at five-star hotels.
The total number of hotels under construction increased to 121 in the second quarter, from 110 at the end of last year, with 20,955 rooms expected to be ready.
“We are seeing strong growth in all aspects of Qatar’s tourism sector. QTA is proud of these developments and the strides being made towards a record year of tourism.
“As tourism becomes increasingly important to diversifying the national economy, we look positively on these developments,” said QTA Chairman Issa Mohammed Al Mohannadi.
The number of visitors from most corners of the globe increased, especially from GCC. Overall, GCC tourist arrivals were up by 15 percent, with Saudi Arabia the largest single source of visitors with 144,491 travellers. Overall tourist arrivals from other continents rose by 6.6 percent, with particularly impressive growth of 12 percent on visitors from Asia.
The leisure tourism sector saw a 10 percent increase from international markets, aided by a diverse range of events and activities in Qatar during the second quarter.
They include the first Middle East performance of Disney on Ice, as well as the sold-out performances of the Broadway hit show STOMP at Qatar National Convention Centre.
During the period QTA achieved a range of accomplishments and agreements to continue the sustainable growth of the tourism sector.
In June, QTA launched its upgraded website, providing tourists and those planning visits to Qatar with easy access to important information. Earlier this month, QTA signed an agreement with the UN World Tourism Organisation to collaborate on the development of a consistent and locally relevant monitoring and quality control system across a wide range of tourism activities.
Recently QTA recognised six hotels with the first awards as part of the ‘Hotels Quality Rating Programme’ to improve the quality of services in the hospitality and tourism industry and create a national benchmark of high standards.
“Looking to the third and fourth quarters of the year, offerings and programmes underway should continue to drive interest and visits to Qatar, including the Eid Festival next month, and the return of Cirque du Soleil in September to Aspire Dome.
“Our events, promotional campaigns and unique and developing offers are having the desired effect of increasing interest within the region and internationally for Qatar as a destination,” added Al Mohannadi.
The scene is set for infrastructure to aid the growth of the sector, with Doha Exhibition and Conference Center under construction and Hamad International Airport opening by year-end.
QTA is also set to unveil its new strategy to serve as the road map for national tourism sector development.
The Peninsula
