Doha, Qatar: Chairman of Qatar Tourism (QT) H E Saad bin Ali Al Kharji (pictured) has said that incentives and facilitations are being granted to local and international investors, in addition to streamlining the procedures with the objective of drawing investments to the tourism sector.
He was speaking in Shura Council’s regular weekly session held yesterday at Tamim bin Hamad Hall under the chairmanship of Speaker of the Shura Council H E Hassan bin Abdulla Al Ghanim.
The Council was briefed by QT Chairman on the strategic plan for tourism 2024-2030, the most prominent policies pursued to revitalize this sector, plans to attract investments to it, and the most prominent challenges facing such efforts.
Al Kharji said tourism sector policies depend on a number of key axes, including strengthening partnership between the public and private sectors, facilitating investment procedures, and providing a legislative environment that encourages growth and investment.
He added that these policies focus on improving visitors’ experience by providing high-quality services, developing tourist facilities, enhancing security and safety, and adopting innovation and using technology to enhance efficiency and improve tourists’ experience.
Regarding target groups for tourism, Al Kharji said they include a variety of categories, foremost of which are the cultural, sporting, familial and recreational, business, conferences, medical and environmental tourism.
At the beginning of the discussions, Speaker of the Shura Council welcomed the efforts to advance the tourism sector and encourage investment in it in order to fulfil the goals of national development and Qatar National Vision 2030, and implement directives of the wise leadership in this field.
The Speaker drew attention to discussions that took place in the Council’s sessions on the topic of ‘development of the tourism economy’, adding that the Council submitted a proposal to the government in April on this subject, in an effort to advance this important sector and provide possible solutions to advance tourism.
He touched on the importance given by QNV 2030 in its third pillar regarding economic development, noting that tourism is one of the important development sectors that enhance economic diversification efforts, a matter which calls for making every effort to advance this sector and transform Qatar into a leading tourist destination.
During the presentation, QT Chairman said Qatar National Tourism Sector Strategy 2030 seeks to cement Qatar’s position as a global tourist destination by benefiting from the country’s cultural and geographical diversity.
He said developing tourism infrastructure is one of the pillars of the strategy, along with improving the quality of services provided and adopting the best international practices in this field, with the aim of increasing the contribution of tourism to the national economy and attaining sustainable development that takes into account environmental and social dimensions.
He touched on the challenges facing the tourism sector and emphasised that notwithstanding the massive progress made to advance the tourism sector, there are a multitude of challenges, primarily competing with other tourism destinations and the significance of maintaining balance between tourism development and conserving environment and cultural patrimony, in addition to the challenges related to providing qualified talents and ensuring sustainable growth, given the global economic changes. In his response to the remarks by the members of the Shura Council, Al Kharji said QT is committed to ensuring a unique tourism experience that respects Islamic values and promotes the Qatari inveterate traditions and customs.
Members of the Council commended QT-backed efforts that, in accordance with the directives of the wise leadership, aim to advance the tourism sector in the country.
