Domestic tourism is seen to make great strides by the third quarter of this year following the government’s easing of pandemic-related protocols, as well as forecasts by authorities that Qatar will be able to achieve herd immunity in the near period, an expert in the travel industry has said.
With a large number of Qatar’s population getting vaccinated, “there is a lot of positive vibes coming in, especially with the number of Covid-19 infection cases in Qatar dropping”, according to Tawfeeq Travel Group CEO Rehan Ali Syed.
Also, as part of the gradual lifting of Covid-19 restrictions, the Ministry of Public Health had on Thursday exempted fully vaccinated passengers from quarantine while announcing the new travel policy that would come into effect on July 12.
Dr Abdullatif al-Khal, chair of the National Health Strategic Group on Covid-19 and head of Infectious Diseases at Hamad Medical Corporation, said in a Qatar TV interview that the national vaccination programme is progressing at a rapid pace and the "majority of the eligible population of Qatar will have received both doses of the Covid-19 vaccines by September".
This progress of the vaccination programme makes Qatar "one of the safest countries to visit", said Syed. "Depending on the borders to open up, I am sure we can foresee a major boost in tourism in the third quarter,” he told Gulf Times.
He said: “The opening of Hilton Salwa’s theme park and the indoor theme park in Doha Oasis will be an added attraction for visitors to come to Qatar. Also, the lifting of the economic blockade early this year has eased travel between countries in the region and their citizens seamlessly. We are also hoping the cruise season will start by November depending on approvals from the authorities.”
Syed emphasised that the government’s immunisation programme against Covid-19 helped stimulate the growth of domestic tourism in Qatar. The authorities recently opened one of the largest vaccination centres in the world as part of its massive and successful vaccination campaign.
“We are all thankful to His Highness the Amir for extending immunisation facilities to each and every one living in Qatar. We also doff our hats to the Ministry of Public Health for closely monitoring the pandemic and taking the necessary precautions. The restrictions imposed by the ministry have helped us stay safe and secure. The well-organised vaccination procedures at health centres and other facilities made the vaccines easily accessible for different age groups," he noted.
“There has been a surge in several outdoor activities, including those at entertainment facilities, after Covid-19 numbers have come down and restrictions were eased in phases. Many families have finally got some respite to step out with their children and enjoy the facilities in places like parks, beaches etc,” Syed explained.
Syed also stressed that citizens and residents must continue to observe social distancing, regular hand washing, and the wearing of masks while travelling domestically or outside Qatar.
“We have already seen a surge in businesses after the easing of restrictions and with the third phase beginning, I am sure the country will soon be completely open to its citizens and residents. However, we should not forget the precautions that have been suggested by the health ministry. As long as we adhere to the guidelines and with a more controlled opening of markets, we can enjoy several outdoor activities with friends and groups of people,” he said.
He added: “The influx of new people will also give a boost to domestic tourism but it all depends on the status of the pandemic. I can foresee that towards the end of the year, when the weather gets cooler, there will be a major surge in domestic activity.
“The travel industry has always been the first to bear the brunt of the pandemic’s impact and last to recover from it, but then we have to be optimistic and work with certain limitations and look at adding various products in our portfolios to leverage the same to customers. The FIFA matches coming up and expected cruise season will be a big boost for domestic tourism.”
With a large number of Qatar’s population getting vaccinated, “there is a lot of positive vibes coming in, especially with the number of Covid-19 infection cases in Qatar dropping”, according to Tawfeeq Travel Group CEO Rehan Ali Syed.
Also, as part of the gradual lifting of Covid-19 restrictions, the Ministry of Public Health had on Thursday exempted fully vaccinated passengers from quarantine while announcing the new travel policy that would come into effect on July 12.
Dr Abdullatif al-Khal, chair of the National Health Strategic Group on Covid-19 and head of Infectious Diseases at Hamad Medical Corporation, said in a Qatar TV interview that the national vaccination programme is progressing at a rapid pace and the "majority of the eligible population of Qatar will have received both doses of the Covid-19 vaccines by September".
This progress of the vaccination programme makes Qatar "one of the safest countries to visit", said Syed. "Depending on the borders to open up, I am sure we can foresee a major boost in tourism in the third quarter,” he told Gulf Times.
He said: “The opening of Hilton Salwa’s theme park and the indoor theme park in Doha Oasis will be an added attraction for visitors to come to Qatar. Also, the lifting of the economic blockade early this year has eased travel between countries in the region and their citizens seamlessly. We are also hoping the cruise season will start by November depending on approvals from the authorities.”
Syed emphasised that the government’s immunisation programme against Covid-19 helped stimulate the growth of domestic tourism in Qatar. The authorities recently opened one of the largest vaccination centres in the world as part of its massive and successful vaccination campaign.
“We are all thankful to His Highness the Amir for extending immunisation facilities to each and every one living in Qatar. We also doff our hats to the Ministry of Public Health for closely monitoring the pandemic and taking the necessary precautions. The restrictions imposed by the ministry have helped us stay safe and secure. The well-organised vaccination procedures at health centres and other facilities made the vaccines easily accessible for different age groups," he noted.
“There has been a surge in several outdoor activities, including those at entertainment facilities, after Covid-19 numbers have come down and restrictions were eased in phases. Many families have finally got some respite to step out with their children and enjoy the facilities in places like parks, beaches etc,” Syed explained.
Syed also stressed that citizens and residents must continue to observe social distancing, regular hand washing, and the wearing of masks while travelling domestically or outside Qatar.
“We have already seen a surge in businesses after the easing of restrictions and with the third phase beginning, I am sure the country will soon be completely open to its citizens and residents. However, we should not forget the precautions that have been suggested by the health ministry. As long as we adhere to the guidelines and with a more controlled opening of markets, we can enjoy several outdoor activities with friends and groups of people,” he said.
He added: “The influx of new people will also give a boost to domestic tourism but it all depends on the status of the pandemic. I can foresee that towards the end of the year, when the weather gets cooler, there will be a major surge in domestic activity.
“The travel industry has always been the first to bear the brunt of the pandemic’s impact and last to recover from it, but then we have to be optimistic and work with certain limitations and look at adding various products in our portfolios to leverage the same to customers. The FIFA matches coming up and expected cruise season will be a big boost for domestic tourism.”