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DONE!!!!!!!!!!

Can't wait .... eager to know :D

You've posted this without an info...

is this real becuse i like tourism

grown 61% last year.

probably becase of the asian games

nope, before the asiad.

INFO COMING SOON....

The suspense is killing me!

^^Don't worry its easy for me to find useful info's, since i found loads before.

I don't know about this but it looks like experienceQatar.com - http://www.qatartourism.gov.qa/

OMG! That GDP drop from 2000 to 2001 is just insane!

...longing to read the rest of the presentation ..:)


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Does this mean Al Bidda Tower will be a hotel?

WooooooooW Suzan great info.... :)

The presentation Done by whom? You ??!!

Does this mean Al Bidda Tower will be a hotel?


I was thinking of the same thing, I never knew its a hotel.

OMG! That GDP drop from 2000 to 2001 is just insane!

must be because of 9/11.

thanx suzan

I was thinking of the same thing, I never knew its a hotel.


thanx suzan

Al-Biddah Hotel has more than 400+ rooms!! Yikes! That is too many hotels man! Where are we getting the tourists from, just to come to Qatar and stay in the hotels?

Thanks Suzan. Deserves a sticky!

Al-Biddah Hotel has more than 400+ rooms!! Yikes! That is too many hotels man! Where are we getting the tourists from, just to come to Qatar and stay in the hotels?

Thanks Suzan. Deserves a sticky!


Good point Halawala, I really do think that Qatar should start creating tourist oriented projects and programs. Its good that they are building all these hotels, but what will all those 1.4 million people going to do when they get there in 2010!? :dunno:

I think the visitors up to 2010 are not all for tourism ... Don't forget that new projects in oil, gas and industrial are exploding ... this will create short term visitors like experts .... :)

I think the visitors up to 2010 are not all for tourism ... Don't forget that new projects in oil, gas and industrial are exploding ... this will create short term visitors like experts .... :)

YEs,that is their goal. Most of the hotels are intended for short term 1-3 days only. Dont forget Qatar Airways is expanding at a rapid rate and that the millions traveling it sometimes need a place to stay.

wow, some high hotel rooms

Go Qatar :banana:

Thanks all!!!

No, the presentation wasnt done by me (I wish:lol:)
It is from Qatar tourism authority!
I still have lots of info to add to it but didnt have time as I was in Dubai! (Arrived today!)

Thanks for the Sticky!!!!!!!!!!

The coming info is great!!!! with nice pics!! nice for people to know about Qatar!! :D:D:D

^^ Welcome back Suzan ... hope Dubai didn't change your view of Qatar :D

Done... Finally!
Hope you guys enjoyed it.

..

very very nice .... :)

thanks suzan ...

^^ Welcome back Suzan ... hope Dubai didn't change your view of Qatar :D

My view to Qatar?
Alright... I wont deny it.. Dubai is amazing.. has so many things to do.. places where you can sit and walk... check the beach.. lovely hotels... a million of restaurants and cafes... malls... amazing...

But so what? So many people there were just asking me: How is life in Qatar?
I can't jundge the life in here... Qatar is a new country!!!!! They are like: "We hear it's boring".. ok ok... not many places to go to... but its coming!!!!!!!

I think people should give Qatar a break... ok.. in Dubai no tower is less that 50 stories.. Qatar should do that to be a good country? I dont think so... Having the largest, biggest, tallest.. doesn't mean that it is the best country.. it is just crazyy..

I mean.. I think Dubai is going crazy (no offense) all those towers! projects! roads! malls! it is just crazy.. as if it is out of control...

Qatar, on the other side... Okay fine, we admit it.. it lacks of so many things.. but I still feel that I am in an Arab country.. nice Arab people surrounding the country.. it has its touch.. Dubai is like European.. American.. I dont know!!!! and at the same time it's Arabic.. but how! I dont know how to say this okay! i dont want anyone to feel offended.. please..

I love Qatar, and my husband dies for it believe me.. He has been here for 4 years and considers it its second home after Lebanon (if not its first believe me) Sometimes we do not have things to do, ok so what, we wont die.. Hamdullilah we have great jobs and we have nice friends.. etc

I believe Qatar will be a great and awesome place to be... in two years time it will be like Dubai minus the huge 50+ stories towers they are doing in DUbai..

My opinion is that Qatar is learning (and should) from others mistakes and I believe it is moving thru the right path Inshallah :)

Done... Finally!
Hope you guys enjoyed it.

Just that....?



My view to Qatar?
Alright... I wont deny it.. Dubai is amazing.. has so many things to do.. places where you can sit and walk... check the beach.. lovely hotels... a million of restaurants and cafes... malls... amazing...

But so what? So many people there were just asking me: How is life in Qatar?
I can't jundge the life in here... Qatar is a new country!!!!! They are like: "We hear it's boring".. ok ok... not many places to go to... but its coming!!!!!!!

I think people should give Qatar a break... ok.. in Dubai no tower is less that 50 stories.. Qatar should do that to be a good country? I dont think so... Having and largest, biggest, tallest.. doesn't mean that it is the best country.. it is just crazyy..

I mean.. I think Dubai is going crazy (no offense) all those towers! projects! roads! malls! it is just crazy.. as if it is out of control...

Qatar, on the other side... Okay fine, we admit it.. it lacks of so many things.. but I still feel that I am in an Arab country.. nice Arab people surrounding the country.. it has its touch.. Dubai is like European.. American.. I dont know!!!! and at the same time it's Arabic.. but how! I dont know how to say this okay! i dont want anyone to feel offended.. please..

I love Qatar, and my husband dies for it believe me.. He has been here for 4 years and considers it its second home after Lebanon (if not its first believe me) Sometimes we do not have things to do, ok so what, we wont die.. Hamdullilah we have great jobs and we have nice friends.. etc

I believe Qatar will be a great and awesome place to be... in two years time it will be like Dubai minus the huge 50+ stories towers they are doing in DUbai..

My opinion is that Qatar is learning (and should) from others mistakes and I believe it is moving thru the right path Inshallah :)

They've probably heard the old Qatar

Many projects there are unplanned > for example, the Jumeirah beach residence were lacked of planning, just built immediately.

Qataris are very kind and generous people.

Of course its already learning from others, all things are planned carefully, not just buildings that are unplanned, i admit qatar is small but a very special grand country

You know what the thing about Doha is? Its not the places, its the people... at least thats what it is for me. Doha is a small place, even with all its growth - but the people here are amazing, the friends you make are what make it worth it, and honestly thats why Doha is nice - everybody knows everyone, life is relaxed and not too hectic, and that alone makes it an amazing place.

As for things to do, I think everyone here knows that Doha is a boring place - I mean, even today, there is hardly anything to do, but it is changing quickly. I am just worried that Qatar is trying to be like Dubai in some things - building towers like theres no tomorrow, insane fantasy projects like the convention center, its just not what Qatar needs - Qatar is much more authentic than Dubai, and it should work towards keeping that.

Like I said, Qatar is an amazing place... i've been here 12 years now, so its pretty much home to me, and I just hope that Qatar in 20 years will keep the good qualities it has today, and not move in the direction of Dubai, which is a nice place to visit and all, but it has its fair share of issues and problems.

hehe, lonely planet, was the first on to say its the most boring city in the world, and now some people read that and they still believe Doha is like that > or some are lazy and never test it first to say what it is.

I have been visiting Doha for the last 6 years - and in all that time I dont think I have ever met a 'real' tourist - The overwhelming majority of the so-called tourists are business related visits. Even during the Asian Games I did not see any tourists - just athletes & short term contractors.

The fact is, is that for European visitors Qatar has almost nothing to offer. One day trip to the Inland Sea, one walk along the Corniche, one evening down the Standing Souk. That is it. All of this can be done in Dubai (or Abu Dhabi or Muscat) but at a fraction of the cost, in a much more developed environment, and with many alternative attractions to keep the family happy.

i only see germans

i only see germans

Wat is zat??

Seriously, a couple of years ago the Qatar tourism authority decided to invite a delegation of tour operators from Russia to come on a fact finding visit to establish a tourism industry. They came, they saw and they never came back!! Why ?? because there is nothing here!! No historical sights, no natural beauty, no cafe district, no nightlife, impossible to get around, shall I go on???

........sheeeeeeesh.

Any place can be fun, all you need are a couple of friends!

Wat is zat??

people from Germany

Any place can be fun, all you need are a couple of friends!

Thank you for saying this because I completely agree!!^^

thaaron is right the friend ship between qatar and germany is very good in germany they are selling qatar-germany friend ship badges it was once mentioned in al rayah newspaper we also get lots of tourists from germany

you're very right Qatar son, you can find books about qatar in germany

Thank you for saying this because I completely agree!!^^

I dont disagree, but its is hardly a plan for sustainable development - there's nothing to do but it will be great if you bring a friend.....:bash:

I dont disagree, but its is hardly a plan for sustainable development - there's nothing to do but it will be great if you bring a friend.....:bash:

You're saying an oxymoron here; there is a plan for sustainable development--THat plan is being implimented with WILL in the near future transform the country in the regional tourism map. Currently, there might not be that great of a tourist infrastructure, but in the near future, everything will change.

But what will the Plan be based on??

Natural beauty - no - except one day trip to inland sea
Historical sites - none
Low cost - not
Wintersun - OK but why not go to Dubai??
Big shiny hotels - yes - could do that, but tourists usually want more
Gambling Casinos - that would be a first but politically unacceptable

You can not just decide to have a tourist industry - you have to offer soemthing that will attact vistors- what niche is Qatar going to promote????

But what will the Plan be based on??


You can not just decide to have a tourist industry - you have to offer soemthing that will attact vistors- what niche is Qatar going to promote????

Read the plan before asking such a question. Look at Dubai and the millions of tourists that flock to it from all over the world without having all of your so-called requirements. It is a working exeption here. The niche Qatar is trying to create a freindly environment for short-term visitors.

The niche Qatar is trying to create a freindly environment for short-term visitors.

By short-term visitors do you mean long weekenders or city-breaks - true tourists who come to Doha to try something new??? There are very few of these around.

Or are the overwhelming majority of these short-term visitors businessmen who come here because this is where the work is. They will come anyway.

They would be businessmen and other people who come here fro conferences, meetings etc. The aim I believe is induce these people to stay a little longer than necessary and getting them to bring along family and friends by getting in these new hotels, the pearl, golf courses,lusail, etc

I am sure QATAR will prosper but they have a reputation for being a dull place. Yesterday the editor of Sports Illustrated Magazine was on David Letterman’s show (based in NY) and he was mentioning quite vehemently how boring he felt QATAR was when he went to cover for the Asian games and that he was the only American guy in the stadium watching games.

This world runs on reputation and image. QATAR needs to improve on reputation as well as other areas.

^^Opsss...

That was rude...
Anyway, I hate that show!!

Go Qatar, Go !

^^Opsss...

That was rude...
Anyway, I hate that show!!

Well...that was the truth....sometimes it hurts...

I were in Qatar in about 4 days, and I didn't find the country boring at all. It was nice to see "real" arabians in the malls etc., with their (your) national suits, and not like in Dubai, where all looks like us europeans (in clothing).

Dubai is not the whole of UAE...

The aim I believe is induce these people to stay a little longer than necessary and getting them to bring along family and friends by getting in these new hotels, the pearl, golf courses,lusail, etc


So I was right earlier - the strategy is to say - there's nothing here, but bring a friend and you'll be all right......:ohno:

Very much..what do you think would attract people to qatar ? There is nothing here that can bring in people like in Amsterdam, Egypt, Greece, Spain, Thailand, even Dubai.
They should try to cash in on the sun and beaches they have here.

I have to admit... Qatar is not a tourist place...

Living here is quite difficult when you are in my situation: a bachelor.

I believe Qatar is boring when you are not married and live with your wife and kids.. Everything here is made for the comfort of the family.

The best expression I heard to describe Qatar is: "ScreenSaver" Nothing moves or changes... During the week, after you went to a Cafe, ate at the restaurant, walked on the corniche and watched a movie in the cinema... you do the same things over and over again... Hence the Screensaver expression...

Moreover, if qatar is trying to be a luxury destination it has to be worth the money people would be paying whether it is the hotels, outtings...

Qatar is not offering alternatives to tourists...

Really far from being Dubai... even Lebanon...

I wish sometimes lebanon had the oil and gas reserves that GCC countries have so that we would really develop our tourism...

Cheers

Lebanon does well without need for investment in tourism, rather before the recent war. People in the Middle East love to go there for Skiing and it is change from the desert ridden countries such as those of the UAE and Qatar included.

This is my opinion on what Qatar is trying to achieve. Being one of the fastest growing economies in the world, it is trying to cater to working professionals. It has no desire to become like Dubai. I don't think the Qatari Government wants our country to be a target for binge drinkers and clubbers. Qatar wants to be the regional leader in education (education city), cultural heritage (museums), conferences (many convention centers), and health industry (Al Sidra, HMC).

If you analyze the projects that are being constructed, most of them are residential, commercial, and hospitality. The largest number of tourists that arrive, are either people attending conferences, family members or friends of expats, job seekers, and few are curious tourists. At the same time hotels, and other leisure projects are taking place to increase the entertainment offerings.

Is Qatar boring? it's relative. If you went to Qatar expecting a nightlife comparable to the US or Europe, then you haven't done your homework. Dubai is also only an hour away by plane by the way. If you went to Qatar expecting to make money, spend time with friends, and enjoy a relaxing lifestyle, then you'll have fun.

Qatar doesn't need a tourist industry, but would like to offer things to the public that are not offered elsewhere. They would also like to draw people to Qatar, so that they can also see what the country has to offer. I don't see people coming back from Qatar saying: "OMG, that place was so much fun!" but rather "I really had an enjoyable and relaxing time in Qatar, and their museums and expos were amazing."

I hope I made some sense.

In the Explorer book, it said Qatar doesn't really want to attract a mass of tourists.

I think that Qatar is sniffing down the right track with regard to trying to keep a firm grip on it's cultural heritage, this is a great trait. However, as the country rushes to impliment a quality infrastruture to attempt to play a little of the catch up game with other leaders in the gulf, I just hope they don't take their eye off the two factors which could make or break the reputation of the nation with regard to trying to lure in tourists. These two things are :

1. Efficency - Something that is woefully lacking in most areas that I have had any interaction with.

2. Customer Service - Again, poor in most business' apart from the top hotels, of which there are only a handful - currently!

Regardless of how much cash you throw at a problem to solve it, without the basics in place, it's gonna struggle to be resolved to a high standard.

As I said , I think Qatar has the right idea and there seem to be some forward thinking and open minded people near the top of the ladder, so lets just wait and see whether the pearl of the gulf can shine.

These grand ideas do take a long time to put in place, cultivate and then mature into a quality, sellable and sustainable product.

Nice thinking davy boy.
Wise too!

Thank you.

Good news...

Tourism sector to see 9.1pc growth
doha • According to World Travel & Tourism Council 2007 predictions, Qatar's tourism growth is forecast to be around 9.1 per cent this year with the sector expected to generate revenues worth $9.5bn of economic activity.

To highlight its tourism potential, nine companies from Qatar have confirmed their presence at the 14th edition of the Arabian Travel Market (ATM), which will be held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC) from May 1 to 4.

Qatar Airways, Qatar National Hotels, Al Shamel Holidays Qatar, Destinations of the World, Doha Marriott Hotel, Mercure Grand Hotel Doha, The Ritz-Carlton Doha and Sixt Qatar will be taking part in ATM 2007.

A number of hotels rooms have been added to Qatar's hospitality inventory, which will help the country host more visitors. Qatar received some 850,000 visitors in 2006 and expects to attract nearly 1.4 million visitors annually by 2010.

Qatar is also seen by show organisers Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE) as a high-potential market for visitors. "Visitor registrations for ATM 2007 are up on last year and of these more than 320 buyers have expressed a specific interest in Qatar's tourism product. We are confident this will increase in the run-up to the show," said Mark Walsh, Group Exhibition Director - Overseas Events, RTE, at a press conference yesterday. RTE is also confident of attracting more tourism professionals from Qatar to the event.

"One of the key changes we have made to this year's event, after conducting many exhibitor feedback sessions, is creating a dedicated tourism development pavilion, which will feature all the spectacular projects being built across the region," Walsh said.

Meanwhile, the highly successful seminar programme will have 12 informative sessions that will tackle important industry topics and feature international speakers. "Top representatives from leading travel and tourism organisations such as PATA, Costa Cruises, Virgin Galactic, Easy Hotels, Eurosport, and publishers Motivate Publishing and NPI Media, as well as international consultancies FutureBrand and Whisper will be hosting these seminars," said Lucie Dawkins, Marketing Manager, ATM.

This year Trident Communications Dubai has been appointed the official Arabian Travel Market show daily publisher and will produce the publication on the first three days of the event on behalf of RTE. ATM partners include Emirates – the official airline for the event, Hyatt Hotels of Dubai which will provide accommodation for hosted media and buyers and American Express — the official payment card, which will have an exclusive Amex lounge at the show.

I'd like to add to my previous post - I said two factors, there are indeed three. Something dawned on me a couple of days back, when trying to find out about the international friendly between Qatar and Iran, and also the incredibly bad advert for the start of the heritage festival that failed to tell people where and at what time the opening ceremony was beginning!

3 - Advertising and Marketing. Something so woefully under-estimated and under-used in Qatar. If you were a reasonably proficent and organised company in this field, then there should be no reason why you wouldn't be the number 1 in the country. I say this secure in the knowledge that currently it is not being done, to even a nursery school level by the majority of companies in the country.

What company wants to keep it's potential clients ( read that as revenue ) ill-informed, guessing and totally in the dark about the products and services that they are trying to sell?

Where are the monthly magazines we are supposed to be getting? That died a death. The Qatar Happening guide is only available fleetingly, in random places, and never the same place twice. Word of mouth is the only way to find things out, generally this is okay for a village, but not for a place that is touting itself as a gateway from West to East and vice versa!

Are the qatari's frightened to part with cash in order to advertise their products, services or events?

Speculate to accumulate people!

^^ Davy_boy... I think we all 100% agree with you. The lack of advertising in Qatar is just crazy!

^^
I of course totally agree, and some firms have fullly understood the gaps that exist. For instance this advertising agency "GROW" ; came across the article below. Things are changing quickly in this area too :)

http://img479.imageshack.us/img479/5674/dscn0667or2.jpg

Qatar Airways still doesnt fly to Australia, why? They have rights and yet their competitors Emirates and Etihad operate here. Its stupid they were meant to fly to Melbourne 2-3 years ago and still nothing. They are getting their 777-200LR and they have A350 so whats their problem?

no we dont have our a350's yet wi will get most planes between 2009-2013 but still there is a route to australia coming soon but the route originally chosen by QR was rejected by Aussie's :( so yeah we might come.... soon :).....

^^A return is also an Australian Airline flying to Doha.