February 14 – Tourism is being given a massive facelift in Qatar as the country continues to build its infrastructure ahead of the 2022 World Cup.
Qatar Tourism has outlined a QAR 236 billion ($65 billion) decade-long investment programme to improve the country’s tourist facilities.
Until it was awarded the World Cup just over two years ago, Qatar lagged well behind neighbouring Dubai as an established holiday destination in the Gulf – and probably still does.
But 85,000 new hotel rooms expected by 2022 – well in excess of FIFA requirements – and only last year three brand new luxury hotels opened their doors as the country stepped up its move from a predominantly business-orientated destination to more of a leisure market.
Other investment projects will include the continued development of Doha’s new international airport, expected to receive 50 million passengers by 2015, and the new $14 million Doha metro network.
Last year, Hassan Al-Thawadi, secretary general of the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee, said the World Cup would boost tourism by 10% based on the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Whether accommodation for 2022 will be affordable for the average fan remains a challenge for organisers, as will continuing to entice visitors to the country once the World Cup is out of the way and the focus of attention is no longer on the tiny Gulf state.
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