Qatar Tourism Authority reports on performance and progress in Qatar hotel sector for 2008 -2009

The report covers the 2008-2009 period and includes statistics on room availability and occupancy rates.

QTA Chairman Mr. Ahmed Abdullah Al Nuaimi said, "A thriving hotel industry is a key component for any country's tourism sector. With this in mind, we conducted this report to get a full understanding of how Qatar's hotel facilities are faring, in light of the rapid development of the country's tourism sector. The report will also help professionals and decision-makers in the hotel industry learn about the latest developments and develop well-informed, comprehensive strategies for the short and long-term."

The report has already led to important adjustments in administration of the tourism sector. "QTA has begun developing a coordination plan with the Supreme Council of Development Planning and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Urban Planning. This plan will enable us not only to shape the framework for technical cooperation on tourism matters, but will also allow us to oversee this important sector and properly distribute the different authorities' responsibilities," Chairman Al Nuaimi explained.

Among the report's statistical data were figures on the growth of operational hotels in Doha and comparative analysis of occupancy rates for the years 2008 and 2009. The following tables show these statistics.

The figures above depict an increase in the numbers of three, four and five-star hotels from 2008 to 2009, with an average of two hotels per category. QTA attributes this increase to the surging demand for these categories of hotel facilities in the local market, as well as efforts by Qatari and foreign investors to attract reputable international hotel names, such as Grand Hyatt, W Hotel and Holiday Villas.

Considerable support from the Qatari government and QTA has also contributed to this rise in the number of hotels in Qatar. QTA offers licensing, inspection and clarifications for hotels and hotel facilities free of charge, while the government reduces electricity charges for hotel investors by fifty percent (50%).

The rise in operational hotels was accompanied by a significant increase in the total number of hotel rooms available. The total number of hotel rooms available increased by 25%, with a figure of 1,728 rooms added in 2009.

As to revenues of hotels in Qatar, the report shows that although 2009 saw a decrease of 6.3% in hotel occupancy rates compared to 2008, the revenues earned by four-star hotels dropped slightly by QR33m and five-star hotels by QR10m only.

According to QTA, this slight decline in hotel revenues, representing only two percent (2%), can be attributed to a number of factors including lower hotel occupancy rates and the increased number of operational, high-quality hotels which led more competitive pricing than the previous year.

Commenting on the decline of hotel occupancy rates Mr. Al Nuaimi said, "This comes as healthy sign due to a rise in the number of operational hotels and the accompanying increase in available rooms in Qatar. Needless to say, the global economic crisis has taken a toll not only on the world tourism sector, but also on individuals' incomes and their ability to travel as tourists."

"However, Qatar is the least affected by the repercussions of the global financial crisis, precisely because Qatar relies primarily on meeting and conference tourism- and business travel offers a more dependable stream of income than other forms of tourism," he added.

As for figures relating to hotels currently under construction, the report shows that the number of hotel facilities granted temporary building permits has reached 118; and an additional 21,744 rooms and units are expected in Qatar's hotel sector, according to the plans approved for the hotel projects in progress.

Forty-one facilities are scheduled to be operational in the local market by the end of 2010, adding a total of 6,743 hotel rooms and units to the market.

In addition, the number of hotels will increase by 23 facilities in 2010, representing a rise of forty percent (40%) and an addition of 4,689 rooms- a fifty five per cent (55%) jump of the total number of hotel rooms available since last year. Ninety per cent (90%) of the increase is expected to come from four and five-star hotels.

"The significant surge in the number of hotels in 2010 can be attributed to the postponement of hotel projects by some investors over the past two years. Qatar will be hosting a myriad of Arab and international events in the coming years, including the 2011 Asia Cup in addition to the Qatar 2022 World Cup bid, all of which will only further serve to reinvigorate the country's hotel sector," said Al Nuaimi.