DOHA – Qatar tourism industry continues on its strong upward trajectory, Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) said in its second quarter of 2013 report, compared with the same quarter last year. All key indicators of the tourism sector demonstrated improvement and growth from the previous year comparable period. Hotel occupancy rate rose from an average of 58 percent to 67 percent, despite there being a 4.5 percent increase in the number of rooms available. Total revenue in four and five-star hotels increased by QAR155.9 million with a staggering 20 percent increase in revenue at five-star hotels alone. The total number of hotels under construction increased to 121propertiesin the second quarter 2013 from 110 at the end of 2012; with a total 20,955 rooms to expected to be delivered. QTA Chairman Issa Mohammed Al-Mohannadi said "we are seeing strong growth in all aspects of Qatar's tourism sector. Qatar Tourism Authority is proud of these developments and the strides being made towards a record year of tourism in Qatar. As tourism becomes increasingly important to diversifying the national economy we look positively on these developments." Visitors increased from most corners of the globe, with particularly good performance coming from within the GCC countries. Overall, GCC tourists were up by 15 percent, with Saudi Arabia the largest single source of visitors with 144,491 travellers. Overall visitors from other continents rose by 6.6 percent, with particularly impressive growth of 12 percent in 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 of 2013. This includes the first-ever 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 this period Qatar Tourism Authority achieved a range of accomplishments and agreements aimed at continuing the sustainable growth of the tourism sector in Qatar. In June, QTA launched its upgraded website, providing tourists and those planning visits to Qatar easy access to information needed. Earlier this month, QTA signed an agreement with the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) to collaborate on the development of a consistent and locally relevant monitoring and quality control system across a wide range of tourism activities. And recently QTA recognized six hotels with the first-ever awards as part of the "Hotels Quality Rating Program" aimed at improving the quality of services in the hospitality and tourism industry and creating a national benchmark of high standards. Al-Mohannadi further said "looking to the third and fourth quarters of the year, the offerings and programs underway should continue to drive interest and visits to Qatar, including the Eid Festival coming next month, and the return of Cirque du Soleil in September to Aspire Dome. Our events, promotional campaigns and unique and developing offer is having the desired effect of increasing interest within the region and internationally in Qatar as a destination." 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 2013.QTA is also readying the launch of a new phase in Qatar's tourism industry with the release of its new strategy that will serve as the road map for national tourism sector development occurring in the country. — SG
