DOHA: The tourism sector’s contribution to Qatari GDP touched QR28bn in 2014. Total number of tourists visited Qatar during the year reached 2.82million; Al Sharq reported citing data released by Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA).
Tourists from the GCC region accounted for the maximum number, with an estimated 40 percent of the total visitors. A total of 1.12 million tourists or 28 percent of the total visitors arrived from different Asian countries. With a share of 421,000 tourists, European countries accounted for 15 percent of total visitors. A total of 319,000 tourists from other Arab nations visited Qatar during the period, while America’s share stood at 143,000 and African countries accounted for 34,000.
The QTA report noted that tourism sector plays a key role in Qatar’s economic diversification agenda. But the sector has to go a long way in achieving its target. Currently, the sector directly contributes QR13.6bn to the GDP i.e. 4 percent of the country’s non-oil economy. The combined contribution of the tourism sector to the GDP accounts for QR28bn. The report noted that the country’s tourism sector is directly providing 61,000 jobs in the country”.
The Peninsula
LISBON: Portugal will propose far-reaching changes to the euro zone next month, including the creation of a European Monetary Fund (EMF) with its own budget to fight crises and economic imbalances in the region, according to a draft proposal.
The proposal marks a departure for Lisbon, which is seeking greater influence in the single currency area after implementing harsh austerity measures and deep economic reforms under an international bailout it took in 2011 to ward off a debt crisis.
“The adjustments by countries like Portugal and Ireland were decisive in reinforcing the principle of European responsibility,” said a spokesman for Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho.
Reuters
