* La Cigale ready to welcome guests for Qatar 2022, says hotel manager Shankar Paramasivam
* Hotel celebrates 15 years of its Ramadan Tent
The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 has "turbocharged the hospitality and tourism development of Qatar", a senior hospitality professional has said, highlighting how the upcoming mega event will further enhance the sector.
Shankar Paramasivam, hotel manager of La Cigale Hotel Managed by Accor, made the observation while speaking to Gulf Times on the occasion of the hotel celebrating 15 years of its Ramadan Tent.
La Cigale opened its doors in 2007 and its definition of luxury echoes through its services to date. Paramasivam says the property is always staying up-to-date with the latest trends and innovations and is ready to welcome guests for Qatar 2022.
Talking about creating a legacy of its own with regard to the concept of Ramadan tents in the country, Paramasivam said: “La Cigale's Ramadan Tent has been a marquee venue for families, enriching the lives of Doha's residents and tourists for 15 years now. Our tent, since its beginning, has hosted legacy relationship-building events for corporate powerhouses of the wider Middle East. We can say that La Cigale Hotel's Ramadan Tent has been the pioneer to set a trend among hotels in Doha. We recreate an elegant, yet magnificently ornate private majlis, fit for royalty, around the largest indoor swimming pool in Doha.”
La Cigale is located right in the heart of Doha, on Suhaim Bin Hamad Street. On how the hotel benefits from its location, he said: “La Cigale is just a 15-minute drive from Hamad International Airport, and is positioned in the right location to showcase the history and growth of Qatar. Our location is our greatest advantage. One can visit the Unesco archaeological site and beaches of Qatar very conveniently due to the proximity to arterial roadways around us. Our hotel is nestled closer to both historic venues and trendy modern spots, such as Souq Waqif, Msheireb, Aspire Zone and Al Bidda Park.”
It is estimated that about 1.5mn fans will attend Qatar 2022, which will take place from November 21 until December 18. Speaking on its impact on the hospitality industry as well as tourism in Qatar in general, Paramasivam said: “Qatar is an evolving destination for all types of travellers from around the world. In Qatar, cultural authenticity meets modernity, where the sand meets the sea, where people come together to experience unique offerings in culture, sports, business and family entertainment, as articulated by Qatar Tourism.
“FIFA 2022 has turbocharged the hospitality and tourism development of Qatar, as we race towards the World Cup at the end of the year. The hospitality sector is growing exponentially due to multiple initiatives implemented by Qatar. There are improved visitor experiences - from expansion of the airport and seaport, choice of accommodation and transportation services, to a growing list of cultural sites. During the upcoming FIFA World Cup, Qatar will be the centre of the world, welcoming guests from all around the globe. We at La Cigale Hotel will dedicate our attention to exceeding guest expectations!”
On talking about extending the services to guests arriving for Qatar 2022, Paramasivam said: “La Cigale has been recognised with multiple awards, notably, Leading Hotel 2021 by the World Travel Awards. We will continue our legacy of customer service with our team. Our main goal will be to create indelible cultural experiences for all our patrons, by providing bespoke Qatari experiences suited to individual tastes. At La Cigale, we create personalised services to make sure all our guests enjoy true Qatari warmth and hospitality.
"The La Cigale team is prepared to welcome global travellers, as our employees hail from 29 nationalities and are well-accustomed to catering to the diverse needs of an international clientele, GCC residents and football fans from all walks of life.”
