The Qatari Hotels Association held an online meeting with the managers of Qatari hotels affiliated with the members of the association, in the presence of Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed bin Fahd Al Thani, Secretary-General of the Association, to discuss the latest developments in the hotel sector in Qatar and to find out the views and aspirations of Qatari hotel managers.
The meeting was attended by Gentlemen and Ladies, Hotel Managers: Mr. Rick Enders, General Manager – Marriott Marquis City Centre, Mr. Martin Kendall, General Manager – City Center Rotana Doha, Mr. Daniel Van Wyk, General Manager – DoubleTree by Hilton, Mr. Gerrit Graef Multi, General Manager – Regency El-Clad Group, Mr. Wissam Suleiman, General Manager – St. Regis Doha, Mr. Karim Tayach, General Manager – Marsa Malaz Kempinski, Mr. Andreas Pfister, General Manager, InterContinental Hotel, Mr. Wael El-Telbany, Director of Ezdan Hotels Holding Group, Ms. Amena Tena, Director of Marketing and Communications – Katara Hospitality, Mr. Mohamed Ibrahim Al-Asmakh, Director – Business Development – Katara Hospitality, Mr. Wassim Daageh, General Manager – W, Mr. Mohamed Sleiman, Chief Operating Officer – Alfardan Real Estate and Hospitality, Mr. Nader Samaan Operations Manager – Alfardan Hospitality Company, Mr. Wael Jamal, Chief Operating Officer – Alfardan Hospitality Company, Mr. Ray Mcshane, General Manager Operations – Al Rayan Tourism Investment Company (ARTIC), Mr. Irfan Sharief, Head of Asset Management Katara Hospitality, Mr. Satiskumar Satananthan, General Manager – La Villa (Al Haider Group), Mr. John Lofty, Director of Catering Sales – Four Seasons Hotel Doha, and Ms. Sarah Abdallah, Deputy General Manager of the Qatari Businessmen Association
At the beginning of the meeting, Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Fahd Al Thani, Secretary-General of the Association, welcomed the participants, stressing the importance of this meeting, which comes within a series of periodic meetings of hotel managers who are members of the Association with the aim of forming a common platform for exchanging views and unifying the efforts of hotel owners and those in charge of them in order to enhance The effectiveness and role of the hotel sector in Qatar and its affiliated institutions, at the regional and global levels.
During the meeting, the Qatari Hotels Association’s work plan, strategy, and activities during the next phase were presented, as the association seeks to hold a series of meetings with its counterparts regionally and globally, to discuss prospects and opportunities for joint cooperation, and build common perceptions to promote and exchange experiences.
In this context, QHA Secretary General opened the door for dialogue with the managers, saying: “The economic conditions that the world is going through as a result of the Corona pandemic represent a great challenge for the hotel sector and its employees in light of the sharp decline in the number of flights, and closures, which places more responsibility on us to search for Realistic exits that revive the sector.”
For their part, hotel managers exchanged views and ideas on how to revitalize the sector during the period of gradual lifting of restrictions, and they agreed to develop proposals and recommendations to develop the hotel sector after the return of economic activity to its previous era, especially that the State of Qatar, with its large tourism potentials such as traditional markets, museums and sand dunes overlooking the charming beaches, world-class sports facilities, luxury malls, and advanced conference and exhibition centers make it a distinct touristic destination and enable to further develop its tourism and hotel industry, which supports the state’s plan for economic diversification.
Emphasizing that the continuation of the vaccination programs established by the State of Qatar will contribute to reviving of tourism growth during the coming period, especially as we enter the second phase of the gradual lifting of the restrictions which will contribute to the recovery of the hotel sector in Qatar in parallel with the increase in the movement of individuals and the gradual return economic activities.
