Big events push hotel occupancy above 95% in Qatar: IFP Qatar

HOTEL occupancy rates in Doha have not dropped below 95 percent since the start of September this year, according to IFP Qatar, the organising body of the upcoming Hospitality Qatar exhibition.

“Qatar has hosted big sporting events like IAAF World Athletics Championships and World Beach Games in the last couple of months. The country is also going to host 2019 FIFA Club World Cup. The hotels are really enjoying it. There is an uninterrupted occupancy of more than 95 percent in most hotels in Doha since the start of September this year,” IFP Qatar General Manager Haidar Mshaimesh told Qatar Tribune.

The higher occupancy levels at these hotels are expected till the end of this year, he said, adding that the trend is likely to continue next year as well.

Besides mega sporting events, he said, Qatar will also be host to a number of international exhibitions and conferences in the next few months.

“We see a very bright outlook for hospitality sector in Qatar. Hosting of such big events has resulted in the opening of many local firms in the hospitality sector. This is the sector that has witnessed the biggest growth in recent years,” he said.

The growth of hospitality sector is evident from the fact that the upcoming Hospitality Qatar exhibition is 30 percent bigger in size compared to the previous exhibition.

“The main increase has come from the locals exhibitors. A lot of new companies have come up in Qatar

We see a very bright outlook for hospitality sector in Qatar. Hosting of such big events has resulted in the opening of many local firms in the hospitality sector. This is the sector that has witnessed the biggest growth in recent years. Haidar Mshaimesh, IFP Qatar General Manager

and they are very eager to showcase their products and services to the domestic and international audience. This is a very positive indicator that investors do believe in the Qatari market,” he said.

The growth of this particular sector is evident from the growing interest of international hospitality firms in Qatar.

“Turkey will have the biggest pavilion at Hospitality Qatar exhibition this year followed by Italy. Countries like India, China, Pakistan, Iran and Malaysia are also participating in the event in a big way. These participations also indicate the growing interest of foreign firms in the Qatari market,” he said.