Qatar is gearing up for a $17bn investment in tourism-related infrastructure projects over the next five years that would be overseen by the Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA). The volume of hospitality projects is particularly increasing at an accelerated pace as Qatar plans to build more than 60,000 new hotel rooms in time for the FIFA World Cup in 2022.
Tabari
With at least 19 hotels and around 5,544 hotel rooms currently under construction or in the planning stage, Qatar currently has the third largest pipeline of hotels in the region. For 2012 alone, more than 2,100 rooms are expected to enter the Qatar market by the end of the year.
Specialised expertise in hospitality projects will therefore be crucial in enhancing the business potential of engineering and construction companies looking to capitalise on the real estate and construction boom in Qatar, according to Drake & Scull International PJSC (DSI), a regional specialist in integrated design, engineering and construction.
The company now sees the hospitality industry as a new key growth catalyst that will boost the demand for specialised expertise in mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP), civil contracting, rail as well as water and power projects. “The hospitality industry in Qatar will continue to become more vibrant and lucrative in the future as Qatar positions itself as a major tourist, business and lifestyle destination, and an ideal venue for international expositions, sporting championships and other high-profile events. The construction of key hospitality amenities is therefore crucial in realising Qatar’s vision to be a world-class host,” said Khaldoun Tabari, CEO, DSI.
