A measured ascent

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The Pearl - Qatar.

But now new companies are coming in, and existing ones are looking to expand their presence.

IHG is a prime example. The global hotel group already has one property in Qatar - the 245-room InterContinental Doha - but as IHG's Gauvin points out, demand for luxury accommodation is such that anticipated visitor figures far outweigh current availability.

Last January IHG signed an agreement to develop the second InterContinental property in Qatar: the 530-room InterContinental Doha West Bay, and recently signed another agreement to develop the country's first Crowne Plaza - Crowne Plaza Doha Airport. Finally, catering to the mid-scale segment will be Holiday Inn Doha, currently under construction.

IHG's development is symptomatic of how things are progressing as other groups enter Qatar - as the table below illustrates.

All work and no play

As increasing interest from hotel groups indicates, demand is there; although at the moment it seems to be predominantly from a business clientele. According to QTEA's Grendene, 95% of visitors to Qatar come for business, either on individual basis or attending a conference/exhibition.

So what are the hotels doing to attract more leisure travellers?

The recently renovated Sheraton Doha Resort and Convention Hotel, with 371 rooms, a sizeable conference center, 26 meeting rooms and a ballroom of more than 3300m², holds obvious appeal for corporate business.

But, as the property's executive assistant manager in charge of sales, marketing and front office Yves Tarabout explains, the hotel is always looking for new markets.

"We arere working with the Qatar Government, the destination management companies [DMCs] based in Doha, and airlines to promote the destination around the world." he says.

"A lot of work is also done locally as well, with the DMCs, as we try to be creative to attract guests to Doha and find the right angle to differentiate ourselves from surrounding countries."

IHG's Gauvin adds that while providing business accommodation is key for the Qatari market, the emirate is also strongly pushing leisure travel.

"We are expanding into Qatar with the right mix of [our] brands to cater for existing and potential hotel accommodation needs - both business and leisure," he explains.

Ritz-Carlton's Duchauffour says the group's two existing properties in Doha - The Ritz-Carlton, Doha and Sharq Village and Spa - both serve very different markets.

"One just has to take a quick look at The Ritz-Carlton, Doha to know that this is a hotel very much for the corporate traveller, from the Club Lounge, to the meeting rooms.

"At the other side of the city is Sharq Village and Spa, with its Arabesque-inspired architecture, low lying villas and the largest Six Senses spa in the region. This property is definitely for leisure travellers."

And according to Al Sharq Village and Spa general manager Hoss Vetry, the predominantly-business vibe in Doha is starting to change. "You look at it today and yes, it's primarily a business city, but it's changing its image. Sure, Doha today is considered as a business city but I think with all this development that's happening it will become a place where people will happily bring their families."

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