Qatar is expected to receive 5,750 hotel keys and 750 hotel apartments during the remaining quarters of 2021, researcher ValuStrat said in a report.
As per ValuStrat research, the total supply of hotel rooms and apartments stood at an estimated 29,075 keys during the first quarter (Q1) of this year.
Hilton Salwa Beach Resort & Villas (361 rooms and villas) along Salwa Road, and Jouri Murwab Hotel (134 rooms) were unveiled this quarter adding a total of 495 rooms.
Chedi Katara Hotel & Resort in Katara Cultural Village and Four-Seasons Private Residence in The Pearl were launched, to add 91 and 416 units respectively (once completed) by 2022.
Hayri Atak Architectural Design Studio announced an eco-friendly, rotating and floating 5-star hotel to open by 2025 adding 152 rooms upon completion.
Katara Hospitality announced Fairmont and Raffles Hotel (Accor) to operate landmark towers in Lusail, expected to add 493 keys upon completion by 2022, ValuStrat said.
Amid the pandemic, the number of arrivals was limited due to restrictions on inbound tourism.
During the first two months of this year, the total number of visitor arrivals in Qatar was 27,759, down by 94% compared to February 2020, ValuStrat said.
The researcher said boosts to tourism are expected from re-opening of borders and travel with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt.
Some 47.6% of tourist arrivals were from Asia followed by Europe and GCC.
Average occupancy of hotels was 64% during February, up by 2% compared to February 2020. Mandatory hotel quarantine and 'staycations' boosted occupancy, it said.
Some 60 hotels were designated for travellers for quarantine upon return to Qatar. Nearly 85,000 returning travellers booked during March as per Discover Qatar.
The Average Daily Rate (ADR) for hotels and hotel apartments increased by 9.3% YoY and 11.2% YoY respectively, ValuStrat said.
In terms of industrial performance, ValuStrat noted the pandemic resulted in local and regional businesses diversifying sourcing that led to additional demand for industrial facilities.
The pandemic provided a boost to e-commerce, as per the Ministry of Transport and Communication, there was an increase of some 144 new websites (allowing companies to trade online) compared to last year, leading to a total of 494 websites.
The average asking rent for dry/ambient warehouses in Qatar reduced by 6% QoQ and increased by 15% YoY, the report noted.