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Qatar to see 1.8mn tourist arrivals by 2014
Tourist arrivals in Qatar will reach 1.8mn by 2014, with increase in business visits at an average of 11.9percent during 2009-2014, according to Euromonitor.
The number of international tourists in Qatar had decline from 1.2mn to 0.95mn during the years 2007 to 2009. However, during the same period there was an increase in total number of tourist arrivals from 0.96mn to 1.1mn.
Qatar has grown to be a popular destination for Europeans, and there has been an increase particularly in the growing number of tourists coming from outside the Middle East, the report said.
Euromonitor also said that several large companies in Qatar and financing vehicles were aiming to invest in the tourism industry, although it may not be a major contribution to economy, as Qatar’s tourist receipts of $0.7bn in 2009, trailed Bahrain$1.1bn) and the UAE ($7.2bn).
Qatar’s tourism expenditure is also growing, and Qatar has attracted several tourists in the Meeting, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) market, hosting more than 80 events in 2009. The new $14.5bn Doha International Airport is set to open by 2012, and will have the capacity to accommodate 25mn passengers with more room for expansion by 2015.
There has also been considerable investment in high-end tourism developments such as Lusail Cit and Qatar Entertainment city. The multi-billion dollar Pearl project will be completed by 2013, creating 32km of extra coastline, accommodating residents on its artificial islands.
Qatar has also vowed to develop sports tourism, while bidding for the 2020 Summer Olympics, and has already submitted its bid for 2022 World Cup, aiming its successful hosting of 2006 Asian Games.
Posted on 24/5/2010
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