Tourism has become an important component of Qatar’s economy and nurturing the sector to attain its full potential is vital in developing the non-energy economy. Qatar has taken many strategic steps in the sector to attract the right mix of tourists who will appreciate what the country has to offer, be it in the cultural or entertainment realms.
Shura Council during its weekly ordinary session discussed the development of the tourism economy and the possible solutions to advance the sector. The council members touched upon all aspects and called for optimal investment to have a sustainable tourism sector. They emphasised the alignment of the sector with Qatar National Vision 2030, particularly its third pillar focusing on economic development by creating a diverse and competitive national economy which will meet the present and future needs of citizens.
Creating a sustainable tourism sector involves a comprehensive approach that balances economic, environmental, and socio-cultural factors. This can be achieved by involving local communities in planning and decision-making and empowering local businesses through promoting community-based tourism initiatives.
Qatar has already taken many initiatives to preserve its environment and cultural resources and this in turn will promote responsible tourism. Implementing practices to minimize the environmental impact and developing and enforcing regulations to protect natural habitats and wildlife will encourage responsible behaviour among tourists.
During their discussion, Shura Council members also highlighted the success of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and the opportunity to leverage this success by building on the global reach and cultural showcase of the tournament to attract more tourists. The success of the tournament proved the organisational ability and infrastructural readiness of Qatar to the whole world and the decision to extend the Hayya Card access has seen a good number of fans returning to the country with their friends and relatives.
It is important to promote diverse tourism products beyond traditional attractions by promoting niche tourism segments like eco-tourism, cultural tourism, adventure tourism and most importantly domestic tourism. Encouraging citizens and residents to spend their vacation in Qatar will help boost the sector without having too many footfalls as over-tourism is becoming a bane for many global tourist destinations. It is paramount to concentrate on quality and not quantity for sustainable growth.
The state, through various stakeholders, has already embarked on a journey to make Qatar a preferred global destination for conscious and responsible tourists. This only poised to grow leap and bounds in the future.
