‘Safe-cations’ have become increasingly popular among Qatar residents during the holidays amid the Covid-19 pandemic, spending vacations or breaks in ‘quiet’ dinners with families and friends at hotels and resorts in the country.
A number of hotel managers in Doha see this trend growing as many guests prefer to celebrate the festive season safely and with less fanfare this year.
“Since ‘live’ acts and music will not be a part of the agenda, people will be more focused on bonding through conversation and great food,” Sharq Village & Spa (a Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Doha) general manager Yazan Latif told Gulf Times.
“This has undoubtedly been a year of firsts, in terms of changing the way we do business in different industry segments across the world. For the hospitality sector in particular though, with its nature being extremely focused on personal interactions, the pandemic has altered not only regular business function but also the festive season celebrations in a big way,” he pointed out.
As part of their ‘safe-cations’, Latif said they noticed longer stay durations at Sharq, owing to their private beach stretch and more recreational activities on offer for guests.
Sharq also witnessed an increase in demand for its ‘Festive Staycation Packages’, which started with Qatar National Day, since many people are taking extended local vacations as travel abroad is restrictive at the moment.
For Al Messila, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Doha hotel manager Ziad Mallah, the current travel restrictions related to the Covid-19 containment measures have boosted domestic travel.
“Both local and foreign citizens did not travel abroad and stayed in Qatar, creating a huge demand for accommodation and food and beverage offerings. Taking into consideration the prominence of domestic travel, several packages were placed and made available to our customers,” he said. “One of the most attractive launched has been “Your Key to Luxury” by Katara Hospitality.”
The Ritz-Carlton, Doha acting general manager Carlo Javakhia shared a similar view saying that
these travel restrictions increased the domestic demand for hotels and residences.
Packages such as late check outs, upgrades to the next category of the room, curated menus at signature restaurants, special rates on spa treatments, and children’s activities are elements that attract guests to book their holidays/staycation, he noted.
These Katara Hospitality hotels and resorts highlighted the vital role of the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) in preventing the spread of Covid-19, implementing health and safety precautionary measures.
According to Javakhia, these protocols such as wearing of face masks, social distancing, regular Ehteraz checks, and conducting regular cleaning and sanitation a, among others, create an environment where guests feel more confident to stay and dine at restaurants, and use other hotel facilities, including restaurants, gym, spa, indoor and outdoor pools.
A number of hotel managers in Doha see this trend growing as many guests prefer to celebrate the festive season safely and with less fanfare this year.
“Since ‘live’ acts and music will not be a part of the agenda, people will be more focused on bonding through conversation and great food,” Sharq Village & Spa (a Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Doha) general manager Yazan Latif told Gulf Times.
“This has undoubtedly been a year of firsts, in terms of changing the way we do business in different industry segments across the world. For the hospitality sector in particular though, with its nature being extremely focused on personal interactions, the pandemic has altered not only regular business function but also the festive season celebrations in a big way,” he pointed out.
As part of their ‘safe-cations’, Latif said they noticed longer stay durations at Sharq, owing to their private beach stretch and more recreational activities on offer for guests.
Sharq also witnessed an increase in demand for its ‘Festive Staycation Packages’, which started with Qatar National Day, since many people are taking extended local vacations as travel abroad is restrictive at the moment.
For Al Messila, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Doha hotel manager Ziad Mallah, the current travel restrictions related to the Covid-19 containment measures have boosted domestic travel.
“Both local and foreign citizens did not travel abroad and stayed in Qatar, creating a huge demand for accommodation and food and beverage offerings. Taking into consideration the prominence of domestic travel, several packages were placed and made available to our customers,” he said. “One of the most attractive launched has been “Your Key to Luxury” by Katara Hospitality.”
The Ritz-Carlton, Doha acting general manager Carlo Javakhia shared a similar view saying that
these travel restrictions increased the domestic demand for hotels and residences.
Packages such as late check outs, upgrades to the next category of the room, curated menus at signature restaurants, special rates on spa treatments, and children’s activities are elements that attract guests to book their holidays/staycation, he noted.
These Katara Hospitality hotels and resorts highlighted the vital role of the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) in preventing the spread of Covid-19, implementing health and safety precautionary measures.
According to Javakhia, these protocols such as wearing of face masks, social distancing, regular Ehteraz checks, and conducting regular cleaning and sanitation a, among others, create an environment where guests feel more confident to stay and dine at restaurants, and use other hotel facilities, including restaurants, gym, spa, indoor and outdoor pools.