BY RAYNALD C RIVERA
DOHA: The New7Wonders Cities status of Doha could bring exceptional benefits as Qatar’s tourism sector continues stride to turn the country into a leading tourist destination.
Doha, alongside Beirut (Lebanon), Durban (South Africa), Havana (Cuba), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), La Paz (Bolivia) and Vigan (the Philippines) was recently declared a New7Wonders Cities after a two-year selection process, including public voting.
“In terms of branding, marketing and tourism, the status of being one of the New7Wonders Cities is exceptionally positive,” Eamonn Fitzgerald, Head of Communication, New7Wonders, told this newspaper yesterday.
He said independent studies have shown New7Wonders winners, participants and finalists have been provided with “extraordinary opportunities”.
“For example, a study in April 2010 by Pearson of London, publisher of the Financial Times, estimated $5b in overall economic, tourism and brand image value for participants and winners in the New7Wonders of the World campaign,” he cited.
A report published by the international consultancy Grant Thornton in April 2011 calculated $1b in economic and employment value for the first five years after being a finalist in New7Wonders of Nature. And a study published by JDI of South Korea in May 2011 projected up to $1.8b each in annual economic benefits for being successful in New7Wonders of Nature.
The New7Wonders Cities campaign was the third global vote organised by New7Wonders, following New7Wonders of the World and New7Wonders of Nature campaigns.
Bernard Weber, Founder-President, New7Wonders, said, “New7Wonders Cities will be a forum to discuss everything from urban planning to metropolitan governance, from tourism to architecture.”
With last year’s launch of Qatar National Tourism Sector Strategy 2030, the country has witnessed positive developments in line with policies, capacity building, product development and global market exposure.
Apart from international conferences, exhibitions, sporting events and seasonal festivals, Qatar has launched tourism products and services such as ‘Samana’ helicopter tours and Desert Caravan Challenge. Traditional sport festivals such as International Falcon and Hunting Festival and Al Galayel Traditional Hunting Championship are also held annually to attract more foreign visitors.
Recently, QTA opened more representation offices in Germany, Saudi Arabia and Singapore to cater to various regions, with plans to open offices in the US and Turkey this year.
Qatar’s tourism sector has a stable growth momentum. It saw more than 2.8 million visitors from around the world last year, up 8.2 percent over 2013. Since 2009, foreign tourists to Qatar have increased by 91 percent with an average 13.8 percent annual growth.
An inauguration event will be organised to officially declare Doha as one of New7Wonders Cities.
“We do not have an appropriate official government entity in Qatar that is ready to coordinate with us, but we hope to have one soon,” said Fitzgerald.
The Peninsula
