Doha: Qatar is facing an accute shortage of hotel rooms. Hotel industry is gearing up for the projected development boom coupled with the urgent demand for the upcoming Asian Games.
No less than 39 new hotels with more than 9,000 hotel rooms are expected to come to the market by 2010, representing an increase of 356 per cent in the current room stock. The next few months will witness less than a dozens hotel majors expanding their stake in Qatar's hospitality sector, according to the market sources.
The year 2005 saw the opening of the Four Seasons Hotel and over the next three years most international brands, including Rotana, Millennium, InterContinental, Sofitel, Renaissance, Shangri-La, Radisson SAS, Hyatt and Kempinski are due to open their doors.
In fact, the hospitality industry is racing to meet the expected demand of 4.6 million annual room nights that would be required by 2010 and Qatar is booming in terms of new hotel projects.
Marriott International is to add three hotels to its portfolio in Doha, under a management agreement reached with Al Rayan Tourism Investment Company.
Scheduled for opening in 2007, the new hotels will include 250-room Renaissance property, 200-room Courtyard and 120-unit Marriot Executive Apartments, says Qatar Tourism Authority website.
Shangri La, Hilton, Al Fareej Resort, Millennium, Al Maha Sofitel are the other hotel majors vying with each other to spread their wings in Qatar.
Shangri La's 35-storeyed five star hotel is expected to open prior to the Asian Games. It will have 250 guest rooms and 60 apartments.
The Hilton will contain 320 rooms and suites, three restaurants, bars, ball rooms and conference halls, extensive leisure, fitness and re-creational facilities.
The family-oriented Al Fareej Resort with Arabian-style chalets will be located near Al Khor. The modern style luxury resort, will be built around a natural breakwater and lagoon, says the investment relations wing of Qatar's Tourism Authority.
The Millennium Hotel will be located on Al Saad Street, Doha and will have 221 rooms including 41 luxury suites. There will be two restaurants and a lobby lounge plus and an indoor swimming pool and an exotic Turkish bath and Spa, nearing completion.
The Al Maha Sofitel will be located in West Bay, Doha and will consists of twin 27 storeyed tower with 300 rooms and suites, restaurants, bars, banquet and meeting faculties and is scheduled for completion by mid-2007. It will be managed by the Accor Hotels.
The proposed 'Dubai Towers' will be another land mark project in Doha. "It would be an iconic addition to the skyline of Qatar's capital rising up to 80 storey. It will offer high-end retail, state of the art offices, a five star hotel as well as top quality apartments," says the tourism department.
Covering a total of 2.35million sqft, the development is due for completion in 2007. The hotel and furnished apartments is to be operated by Dubai-based Jumeirah International and will cater mainly to high-end business traveller.
By Satish Kanady
The Peninsula 2006
