Qatar Tourism Authority’s (QTA) has recorded impressive growth in its international markets, particularly in BRICS countries, as well as in Germany, acting chairman Hassan al-Ibrahim has said.
Al-Ibrahim noted that QTA will soon publish performance statistics in various markets abroad, but revealed that the Chinese market alone posted a 41% growth last year and witnessed a 27% growth in the first quarter of 2018.“We experienced an over 400% growth from Russia, and we have great growth from India, South Africa, and also Brazil is growing; so, all the BRICS countries are already growing. Germany, as a market, is also growing,” al-Ibrahim told Gulf Times on the sidelines of the unveiling of Alfardan Group’s QR3.5bn Marsa Arabia Resort held recently.
According to al-Ibrahim, QTA is anticipating to double figures of Qatar’s cruise tourism industry in the next two years.
“So, cruise will also increase exponentially, and we hope to transform Qatar into a transit destination when it comes to cruise but also as a turnaround port and a home port for some of the cruise ships in the region,” al-Ibrahim pointed out.
He emphasised that QTA is expecting to meet its targets for 2023 by diversifying its markets, citing the Marsa Arabia Resort luxury development project, which is expected to come online by 2021.
“And we’re pushing for further collaboration and good governance when it comes to the tourism sector overall, which will ensure the presence of a sustainable sector,” al-Ibrahim stressed.
Al-Ibrahim said projects like the Marsa Arabia Resort would help attract similar investments to Qatar, thus enhancing the country’s image as top tourism destination in the region and abroad.
“This project comes in parallel with Cityscape, which had witnessed and revealed so many projects in Qatar. It is a great sign of confidence from the private sector and from investors both locally and abroad; it also reflects the resiliency and stability of the Qatari economy,” he said.
He said the growth Qatar is witnessing amid the economic blockade proves that the country “is a very strong destination not just from an economic perspective but also from a tourism standpoint.”
“The numbers that had been achieved is a sign that the strategy is working, and that the implementation of this strategy that both the private and public sector is working on is gaining results,” he stressed.
