Efforts by Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) in promoting the country as a luxury and touristic destination are benefitting the real estate sector, a senior United Development Company (UDC) official has said.
Speaking on the sidelines of Cityscape Qatar 2016, UDC marketing and communications director Hussain Akbar al-Baker said that UDC’s symbiotic relationship with QTA and the support they get from the tourism sector helps them attract more people, as well as foreigners, to invest in Qatar.
“Promoting the country overseas as a touristic destination does help the real estate market, QTA has many channels and showcases Qatar to a wider audience,” he said, adding: “In turn, we feed them with information and we have a long-term partnership with them on
different areas.”
Leading a delegation to the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, QTA is showcasing Qatar’s various tourism offerings that include luxury accommodations, cultural attractions, family entertainment, festivals and events, as well as great shopping, dining and other leisure activities.
Al-Baker cited the success of the recently held Qatar International Food Festival co-organised by QTA and Qatar Airways, in which The Pearl-Qatar was one of the two satellite venues this year.
The annual event has attracted around 200,000 visitors locally and from abroad, particularly those coming from other GCC countries such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
Holding such prestigious tourism event gives visitors and tourists an opportunity to see iconic towers, infrastructures, and touristic
landmarks, according to al-Baker.
“Tourists come here either to take photos of beautiful and magnificent buildings, see numerous attractions such as the cinema complex, entertainment centre, and undertake outdoor activities, thus giving value to the retailers,” he noted.
Qatari businessman Farhan al-Sayed shared the same observation saying that such signature projects and offerings entice people to invest and buy
properties in the country.
He said Qatar plays a major role in what he described as ‘real estate tourism’ due to the country’s “amazing projects” such as The Pearl-Qatar and Lusail.
In terms of design, al-Sayed noted that Qatar’s real estate properties and projects have unique features and designs compared with those in other GCC countries.
“Though we are neighbouring countries, Qatar has really done good compared with Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Oman in aspects of real estate, considering it is a gas and oil producing country,” he stressed.
In aspects of design, he said Qatar has a lot of beautiful towers in the West Bay, including the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre, which is uniquely designed and strategically located in the business district.