A New Era of Luxury: Qatar's Tourism Boom at ILTM Cannes 2021
Qatar Showcases Elite Tourism Attractions at ILTM Cannes 2021 Event
Step into a world of lavish experiences as Qatar showcases its new tourism projects and premium offerings at ILTM Cannes 2021. This dynamic Middle Eastern nation is quickly becoming a prominent destination, expanding its tourism proposition in harmony with Qatar's National Vision 2030. At the heart of all new programs and initiatives, you'll find the visitor - a testament to Qatar's commitment to delivering an extraordinary experience.
At the heart of Qatar Tourism Strategy 2030, a series of exhilarating experiences are taking shape. From a wave of lavish hotels, theme parks, shopping havens, and major leisure projects that recently opened or are gearing up for their debut before the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Qatar is set to enthrall its visitors with a dazzling array of choices. As of now, over 100 new hotels and serviced apartments are under construction, further augmenting Qatar's already impressive portfolio. A few highlights of the new properties include the Raffles Hotel and Fairmont Hotel and Resort at Katara Towers, Rosewood Doha, and the St. Regis Marsa Arabia Island. These lodging options will undoubtedly broaden Qatar's allure for high-value travelers seeking an unparalleled, sophisticated escape.
With aspirations to elevate the tourism sector to 12% of the GDP by 2030, Qatar is eager to grow and enhance its assets and attractions, improve the end-to-end customer experience, invest in Service Excellence, and employ a tailored marketing strategy to entice both point-to-point and stopover visitors. Berthold Trenkel, the Chief Operating Officer of Qatar Tourism, expresses enthusiasm for these developments: "We are continuing to expand our tourism offering and are excited to introduce guests to the pinnacle of Qatari hospitality. In 2019, we saw over two million visitors to Qatar and we hope to see similar growth trends now that we are welcoming visitors back to the country again."
Why not explore Qatar for yourself? As the countdown to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 ticks closer, there's no better time to visit this captivating destination. Qatar offers a welcoming introduction to the Middle East, blending cosmopolitan modernity with striking landscapes, Arabian traditions, flavors, and cultures. Delve into a rich cultural heritage, indulge in luxury five-star hotels and resorts, immerse yourself in outdoor activities, bask on pristine beaches, and marvel at museums and cultural landmarks that cry out to be discovered.
In addition, Qatar is gearing up to welcome major tourism projects such as Place Vendome, an impressive shopping mall boasting 580 retail outlets, two five-star hotels, and entertainment zones. West Bay North Beach project will showcase six beaches, restaurants, and outdoor activities, while Qetaifan Island North is poised to debut as the first entertainment island in Qatar, with five-star hotels, resorts, beach clubs, and water parks.
To ensure a worry-free and secure travel experience, Qatar has implemented a comprehensive set of measures designed to make visiting the country as easy and safe as possible. Ranked the third-safest country in the world for Covid-19 outbreak management by Global Finance in 2021 and boasting vaccination rates of over 85% as of December 6, 2021, Qatar is ensuring customer safety. The "Qatar Clean" program, a collaboration with The Ministry of Public Health, underscores the highest standards in hygiene and cleanliness, with rigorous procedures in place to guarantee your safety. With 100% of Qatar Tourism-licensed hotels 'Qatar Clean' certified, the program is being expanded to restaurants and other sectors, including transport, retail, and culture. Safety measures include social distancing, frequent sanitisation of surfaces, and touchless payments, ensuring a worry-free experience in hotels, shopping malls, health clubs, and salons.
Qatar Airways was the first airline to receive a 5-Star Covid-19 Airport Safety Rating from Skytrax, while Hamad International Airport (HIA) received the same accolade, becoming the first airport in the Middle East and Asia to achieve this distinction. HIA was also recently lauded as the 'Best Airport in the World' at the Skytrax World Airport Awards 2021. For the latest information on procedures and future updates, please visit the Ministry of Public Health at www.moph.gov.qa. To learn more about the current travel policy to visit Qatar, visit: https://www.visitqatar.qa/en/plan-your-trip/travel-tips
Major Tourism Projects
- Simaisma Beachfront Tourism Project: A massive QR20 billion ($5.5 billion) development featuring a theme park and other attractions, modeled after a Public-Private Partnership (PPP)
- West Bay Beaches and Al Safliya Island Development: A transformation of five beachfront plots and the iconic Al Safliya Island into vibrant mixed-use areas, including family-friendly beaches, luxury beach clubs, resorts, dining options, and nightlife, also developed under a PPP model.
- Expansion of Hotel Rooms: Qatar is boosting its hotel capacity, currently boasting 40,000 rooms with an additional 7,000 in the pipeline.
Luxury Offerings and Infrastructure
- Global Events Hosting: Qatar is leveraging its world-class infrastructure to host an array of international events, solidifying its appeal as a luxury and business tourism destination
- Training and Partnerships: The Qatar Excellence Academy is committed to training hospitality workers and partners to more effectively promote Qatar's offerings worldwide
Strategy Overview
The Qatar Tourism Strategy 2030 aims to increase tourism's contribution to the national GDP to 12% by 2030, focusing on six major demand areas and supporting 54 strategic projects.
- Qatar's National Vision 2030 extends beyond tourism, encompassing the creation of a thriving business environment with the aim of increasing the tourism sector's contribution to 12% of the GDP.
- The booming 'home-and-garden' sector in Qatar is not limited to lavish hotels and resorts; the country is also developing shopping malls like Place Vendome, which will house over 580 retail outlets and entertainment zones.
- Qatar's technological advancements in travel extend beyond safety measures; the nation has also become a prominent destination for 'technology' enthusiasts, with major projects such as the Simaisma Beachfront Tourism Project being developed through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP).
