Doha [Qatar], April 23: The Qatari Hotels Association (QHA) convened a high-level meeting with senior officials from Qatar Tourism to assess the current state of the tourism and hospitality sector and explore measures to sustain growth amid ongoing regional developments.
The meeting brought together Saad bin Ali Al Kharji, chairman of Qatar Tourism; Omar Abdulrahman Al Jaber, Chief of Tourism Development Sector; Abdulaziz Ali Al Mawlawi, Chief Executive Officer of Visit Qatar and Abdullah Mohammed Al Falasi, Director of the Office of the Chairman of Qatar Tourism.
Chaired by QHA Chairman Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani, the meeting was attended by senior figures from the hospitality industry, including Sheikh Mohammed bin Fahad Al Thani, founding member of QHA; Omar Hussein Al Fardan, QHA Second Vice Chairman; and Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed bin Fahd Al Thani.
Also present were founding members Sheikh Falah bin Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani, Sheikh Mohammed bin Faisal Al Thani, Sheikh Nayef bin Eid Al Thani, Mohammed Al Jaidah, and Fahad Abdullah Al Mana, along with Tarek El Sayed, CEO of Al Rayyan Tourism Investment Company, hotel chief executives, representatives of Katara Hospitality, and QHA General Manager Sarah Abdullah.
At the outset, Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani underscored the importance of strengthening public-private collaboration to address the challenges facing the sector in light of evolving regional conditions.
He praised the role of government entities in supporting private sector stakeholders and emphasized that such cooperation is essential to maintaining stability and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the tourism and hospitality industry.
For his part, Saad bin Ali Al Kharji reaffirmed the state's strong commitment to supporting key economic sectors, particularly tourism. He noted that plans are underway to direct tourism events and government initiatives toward bolstering the hotel sector, highlighting its role as a fundamental pillar of the national tourism economy.
He added that this approach aligns with the objectives of Qatar National Vision 2030, stressing that early coordination between government entities and private stakeholders-especially in hosting visitors, extending their stays, and delivering high-quality services-has further enhanced Qatar's reputation as a safe and reliable global destination.
The meeting also highlighted the importance of constructive cooperation between stakeholders. Sheikh Faisal reiterated that the government's continued support strengthens the private sector's role as a key partner in economic development.
He commended the strong partnership between QHA and Qatar Tourism, noting that the formation of a joint committee represents a significant step toward enhanced coordination and a more structured institutional approach to advancing the sector in line with evolving visitor expectations.
Echoing these sentiments, Omar Hussein Al Fardan emphasized that tourism remains a vital pillar of the national economy. He noted that intensified collaboration with Qatar Tourism, supported by a clear strategic framework, will help achieve the State's tourism objectives.
He also praised ongoing promotional campaigns, event development initiatives, and cooperation with Qatar Airways to boost transit tourism, expressing confidence that joint efforts will enable the sector to navigate current challenges effectively.
Meanwhile, Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed bin Fahd Al Thani described the meeting as a constructive platform for addressing key industry challenges.
He indicated that these issues will be formally presented to Qatar Tourism for further discussion with relevant government entities, with the aim of enhancing institutional coordination and strengthening partnerships across the sector.
During the session, QHA presented a comprehensive analytical review of the tourism landscape, including regional and GCC-level assessments, the impact of ongoing developments on the hospitality sector, and a comparative overview of measures adopted in neighboring countries.
The presentation also outlined practical proposals aimed at easing operational pressures, supporting sector recovery, and reinforcing traveler confidence by leveraging Qatar's competitive advantages in the global tourism market.
The meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment of both public and private stakeholders to work collaboratively in sustaining the growth and resilience of Qatar's tourism and hospitality sector.
Source: Qatar Tribune
