Qatar’s hospitality sector, including the food and beverage (F&B) industry, will continue to be on an upward trend up to the 2022 FIFA World Cup as more people get vaccinated and the current situation continues to improve further, a hotelier has said.
"The drop in room rates since their last peak in 2019 for 4- and 5-star hotels/resort properties has attracted high volumes of local guests," Movenpick Hotel Doha’s Public Relations and Communications assistant manager Ritika Ramani told Gulf Times.
“The aspect of being able to an affordable local vacation in a safe and hygienic environment has been an added attraction,” she said.
It is learnt that the summer season this year is witnessing a demand surge for local hotel bookings particularly during the weekend, mostly families who find staycations practical than travelling abroad.
Qatar remains to be one of the safest countries in the world for visitors and residents, Ramani said while citing that it retained its position as number one globally in terms of safety on the Numbeo Global Index.
Qatar government’s efforts to prevent the spread of Covid-19, and in vaccinating the population also play a significant role in boosting customer confidence to dine at restaurants and other food outlets.
Ramani noted that several hotel restaurants in Doha, which offer seafood buffets, have enticed residents to dine and spend their evenings or weekends at hotels.
“A lot of hotels on the stretch, including ourselves do a seafood night and I guess people like it because the variety that you get with something like that is extensive at a very valuable price.
Many hotels in Qatar, including Movenpick Hotel Doha – locally owned and operated by Katara Hospitality – have either renovated or currently making some structural changes as they prepare for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
“Closer to this prestigious tournament, there will be other changes. We want to make sure we are supporting team Qatar and we just want to showcase the Qatari flag across the hotel.
“We want to make sure we are up to date when it comes to next year specifically for the World Cup,” said Ramani, adding that Movenpick now has 148 rooms. It introduced a spa last year and has recently opened a men’s barbershop.
 
 
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