Qatar Tourism Authority Chairman and Qatar Airways� Chief Executive Officer Mr Akbar Al Baker unveiled the new Qatar Tourism Masterplan today, in front of the world�s tourism industry leaders and a large international media contingent at the Fourth Global Travel and Tourism Summit in Doha.  Mr Al Baker was joined by World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) Chairman Mr Vincent Wolfington and his President Mr Jean-Claude Baumgarten.

�The initiatives in this new tourism masterplan will position Qatar as a leading high-quality tourism destination, in accord with the forward thinking vision of our country�s leader, His Highness the Emir, Shiekh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani,� said Mr Al Baker.

�Qatar will offer the high end of the tourist market with a fantastic travel experience of beach resorts, sun, expansive desert landscapes, a rich Arabic cultural heritage, prestigious hotels and extensive conference facilities, and major international sporting events � all in a very safe environment.

�We expect that tourism growth to more than double in the next six years, from the 400,000 visitors that presently visit Qatar, to more than one million tourists in 2010.

�Qatar and its partners will be investing US$15 billion into new tourism infrastructure, in what represents one of the largest investments in tourism facilities in this region.

Enriching cultural experiences

�Qatar is well known for retaining its rich Arabic culture, and this masterplan will ensure that visitors and tourists will be able to share in our rich heritage.

�There will be significant investment in cultural facilities that will open the doorway to our Qatari culture, including a new landmark Public Library, a Museum of Islamic Arts, the promotion of Qatar�s many historic forts and the redevelopment of Qatar�s National Museum. These projects are already progressing under the auspices of the National Council for Culture, Arts and Heritage.

�In addition, Qatar is successfully creating a major cultural festival of international repute. This festival of culture, entertainment and education showcases Qatar�s heritage as well as its modern vision.

Lifestyle cities

�The creation of luxury lifestyle cities is a major new initiative. The first such project, Pearl of the Gulf, was announced last month. The next such project which we are proud to announce is the North Beach Development.

�The 32 square km site, just north of the Ritz Carlton on the coast, will complement the Pearl of the Gulf and will feature a number of new features such as a dedicated family entertainment district. This entertainment district will provide both daytime and nighttime attractions for residents and tourists alike.

New beach and island resorts

�A key feature of the masterplan is the considerable amount of tourism development that will take place outside the city limits of Doha. These developments will take advantage of Qatar�s unspoilt natural environment, its golden beaches and the warm turquoise waters of the Arabian Gulf.

�There will be a variety of beach resorts and lifestyle precincts, from the traditional Arabic Al Fareej Resort at Al Khor, to the stylish luxury Al Mafjar Resort and the large public beach at Al Sumaisma.

New luxury hotels

�We expect that eight new four and five star hotels will open by mid 2006. Among them will be the best-known international hotel chains � Hilton, Shangri-la, Four Seasons, Marriott, Rotana and Renaissance.

�These new hotels will increase hotel accommodation in the country by a massive 2550 rooms.

�There will also be new conference facilities complementing the extensive conference facilities that already exist in Doha. We expect Doha will become a major international Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions (MICE) destination.

New sporting facilities

�Qatar already hosts a number of major annual sporting events, such as the Qatar Masters Golf, the Qatar Tennis Open and the Qatar Airways Squash Challenge.

�Qatar is also proud to host the 2006 Asian Games. In preparation for these Games, we are redeveloping and upgrading all our existing sporting facilities and also developing a number of new world class venues. This work is being carried out under the auspices of the Doha Asian Games Organising Committee, and is progressing to plan.

�One such venue is the Khalifa Sports City, which will feature a redeveloped Khalifa Stadium, new aquatic centre, a large sports hall and an additional indoor sports hall.

�We will be developing more sports infrastructure so that we can continue to attract major international sporting events to Qatar.

New international gateway

�The masterplan also includes a new international gateway to Qatar � the new US$5 billion Doha International Airport � which will be a state-of-the-art airport and create an incredibly impressive doorway to the State of Qatar.

�The new airport will open in 2008 and by the time it is fully developed in 2015, it will have an annual capacity of 50 million passengers and allow for Qatar Airways� continued meteoric growth.

�You can be very sure that Qatar will be offering tourists one of the very best high-quality travel experiences in the world,� Mr Al Baker said.

In summary, the new masterplan includes:

    * The construction of eight new four and five star hotels that will add more than 2550 rooms to the country. These hotels include: Four Seasons (235 rooms), to be opened by late 2004; the Pearl Island hotels (900 + rooms), which will open in late 2005; the Marriott Courtyard (200 rooms), to open in mid-2006; Marriott Apartments (120 units), to open in mid-2006; the Renaissance Hotel (250 rooms), to open in mid-2006; The Shangri-la (250 rooms), to open in mid-2006; the Hilton (320 rooms), to open in mid-2006; and the Rotana (277 rooms), to open in mid 2006.

    * The construction of the 32 sq km North Beach Development, which will include 10 resort hotels, two golf courses, 3000 lifestyle villas, 12,000 apartments, 300,000 sq metres of retail shopping, and 6,000,000 square metres of commercial space. Construction will begin in early 2005.

    * The construction of Pearl Island, a four square km island that will contain 7600 high quality dwellings, three luxury hotels with more than 900 rooms, four marinas with spaces for more than 700 boats, and a variety of community and entertainment areas. The opening is planned for September 2006.

    * The construction of a 45,000 square metre Museum of Islamic Arts, which will showcase some of the best Islamic Art. The museum will be built on the edge of Doha Harbour, and will contain exhibitions, a study and a library, galleries, gardens and a restaurant. The museum will open in 2006.

    * The construction of the landmark National Library on the foreshore of Doha�s picturesque Corniche, designed by Japanese architect Isozaki. The library will also contain a natural museum, art galleries, conference and lecture halls, cafeterias and restaurants. The library will open in 2006.

    * A new Photography Museum, on Doha�s Corniche, that will include 11,000 sq metres of photography galleries, camera galleries, temporary galleries, workshops, conference hall, cafeteria, restaurant and shop. It will open in 2007.

    * A redeveloped Qatar National Museum that will showcase the rich cultural history and heritage of Qatar. The museum will re-open in 2006.

    * The construction of the Al Fareej Resort, a family-orientated resort village with Arabian styled chalets, near the town of Al Khor, 40 kms north of Doha. Construction is due to begin in 2005.

    * The construction of Al Mafjar Resort, a modern styled luxury resort built around a natural breakwater and lagoon. Construction is due to begin in 2005.

    * The development of a large public beach area at Al Sumaisma, 20 kms north of Doha. The beach development is currently being designed.

    * A comprehensive plan to conserve and promote Qatar�s historic forts.

    * The development of new and redevelopment of existing sports facilities that will allow Qatar to become a major centre for international sports.

    * The annual Cultural Festival supported by a program of other cultural events.
 

Salam Al Shawa
Senior Manager Marketing & Communications
Qatar Airways
Tel: +974 - 4496613
E-mail: [email protected]