*Prime Minister witnesses signing of MoUs
HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani on Monday witnessed the signing of a number of memorandums of understanding (MoUs) to impart a major tourism boost, Katara Hospitality has announced.
The MoUs were signed between the Qatar National Tourism Council (QNTC) and Qetaifan Projects Company (a subsidiary of Katara Hospitality), Rixos Hotels, Qatar Airways and a number of international tour operators. HE the Minister of Finance Ali Sherif al-Emadi was present.
Katara Hospitality is a leading global hotel owner, developer and operator, based in Qatar.
The MoUs were signed by Katara Hospitality chairman Sheikh Nawaf bin Jassim bin Jabr al-Thani, QNTC secretary general and Qatar Airways Group chief executive Akbar al-Baker, Rixos Hotels founder and chairman Fettah Tamince, in the presence of Katara Hospitality deputy chairman and Qetaifan Projects managing director and CEO Sheikh Nasser bin Abdulrahman al-Thani.
“The 17 MoUs with global operators, which currently provide 4mn tourists around the world, will focus on revitalising Qatar’s tourism and hospitality sector,” according to a statement issued by Katara Hospitality.
The signing ceremony took place after a day of showcasing the hidden gems of Qatar through a presentation from official stakeholders including QNTC, Qatar Airways, Discover Qatar, Katara Hospitality and Qetaifan Projects, followed by a site visit to Qetaifan Island North development.
“These partnerships will pave the way for long-term collaboration, through the sharing of knowledge and expertise in relation to tourism planning and development,” it was explained.
“Similarly, to encourage investment in tourism and hospitality sectors, the official visit of these key international tour operators will enable to promote tourism, exchange experience in the areas of marketing destination as well as promote safe, honourable and sustainable tourism.
“These MOUs are designed to attract and absorb the largest number of tourists and to complement the efforts of Qatar National Tourism Council, Qatar Airways, Rixos Hotels, Katara Hospitality and Qetaifan Projects. In the framework of revitalising and developing the tourism sector, Qatar has witnessed a comprehensive renaissance in all sectors.
Sheikh Nawaf said these partnerships represent Katara Hospitality’s commitment to invest in the development of the tourism industry and enhance Qatar's hospitality sector.
HE al-Baker expressed delight in partnering with Katara Hospitality and support its investment plans. He observed that the QNTC works with all partners in the public and private sectors to support tourism investment opportunities.
“The QNTC is working to achieve the unity of vision between the various segments within the tourism sector, such as aviation, hospitality and others, thus contributing to the achievement of the national vision for the tourism sector in achieving the goals of sustainable tourism development, and in promoting Qatar's position on the world tourism map,” he added.
Sheikh Nasser said the meeting with tour operators aims to stimulate the tourism sector in the country and its services.
“The important thing that undoubtedly supports other sectors and effectively contributes to the marketing of Qatar, as the country is on the horizon of global projects and important, most notably the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar.
“We are working tirelessly in Qetaifan Projects to develop the northern island in Lusail, to be able to accommodate the largest number of tourists through the projects that will take place on the island including hotels, restaurants and retail, in addition to the villages specially designed to cater to the fans expectations as well as entertainment services that will live up to international levels of competition and in line with Qatar National Vision 2030. "
Tamince pointed out that it was in January this year that Rixos Hotels sealed a partnership with Katara Hospitality to manage and operate the project at Qetaifan Island North.
“We consider it our aim to provide added value to each and every new market we enter,” he said.
Qetaifan Island North development is part of Lusail city with seven beaches, making it a distinctive waterfront of the city. The island has an area of 1.3mnsq m, and the island’s projects span about 830,000sq m.
