Qatar’s hospitality industry got a further boost with the country’s hosting of major sporting events this year, including the recently-held FIFA Club World Cup 2019, a number of hotel executives in Doha have said.
Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel, W Doha and The Ritz-Carlton Doha are among the many hotels in Qatar which witnessed a surge in occupancy during these competitions, particularly the FIFA Club World Cup 2019, receiving a large number of players, delegations and foreign visitors from across the globe.
“Sheraton Grand Doha has seen a positive impact on occupancy and F&B (food and beverage) uptake with a visibly increased presence of international visitors,” said general manager Belal al-Kadry.
He said many hotels in Doha launched various offers and initiatives to create additional incentives for both locals and international travelers.
Al-Kadry added that hotels have set up lounges and used existing bar and entertainment venues to screen all the matches in larger screens, as well as creating specific F&B menus to suit the occasion.
Ritz-Carlton, Doha Sales and Marketing director Georges Akar echoed similar statements saying that all Doha hotels with teams and fans were fully booked from December 12 to 23, providing genuine care and comfort.
Ritz-Carlton, Doha, dubbed as official FIFA Club World Cup hotel by hosting FIFA President and the Executive Committee, also created a FIFA Club exclusive area (23rd floor), along with a meeting room, for its guests, he added.
“We anticipated their needs from F&B (private area in B-Lounge) through several meetings and assigning key dedicated personal in each department to follow up on their wishes and needs,” Akar said.
W Doha also received many delegations and sports fans from around the world, welcoming them to its cafes and restaurants during the hosting of these competitions.
“There is no doubt that these prestigious sporting events have created a positive impact on Qatar’s hospitality and tourism sectors,” the hotel’s general manager, Wassim Daaje, stressed.
This year, Qatar hosted three major international sporting events: The 2019 IAAF World Athletics Championships, held from September 27 to October 6; the ANOC World Beach Games, held from October 12 to 16; and the FIFA Club World Cup, held from December 11 to 21.
“Qatar has grown into a major sporting hub and has presented one of the most successful FIFA Club World Cup tournaments which was hosted a few weeks after the country celebrated the outstanding success of the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup,” Daaje said.
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