After Qatar’s hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, a mega event that drew 1.4 mn tourists, the country will continue seeing its hospitality market expand. Research from global property consultancy firm Knight Frank suggests that the market will grow by 89 percent, adding over 56,000 hotel rooms by 2025.
Additionally, Qatar’s international tourists could potentially reach seven million by 2030. This marks a 30 percent increase from the anticipated 5.4 mn by the end of the year.
Hotel development spree
Gearing up for this growth and rising demand, Qatari developers are enjoying a post-World Cup momentum. So far, $1.7 bn have been invested in high-end hotel development, according to data from Top Hotel Projects (THP).
For instance, the premium hotel pipeline currently boasts 33 hotel projects, comprising 9,611 rooms. Doha emerged as the center of this development spree, with 85 percent of these projects situated in Qatar’s capital. This is equivalent to 28 properties. An additional four projects are located further north, particularly in Lusail. The final site is situated in the western city of Dukhan.
Of these high-end projects, 17 are classified as five-star establishments and 16 as four-star properties. Among all these developments, 31 are new constructions while the remaining two are refurbishments.
Read: World Cup helped Qatar’s economy expand by 8% in Q4 2022
Peak period
With 12 projects slated to be completed by 2024, Qatar’s hospitality market could see its hotel openings peak in said year. However, it’s noteworthy to consider that at least 10 more projects are set to conclude by the end of this year.
One hotel development project will be completed in 2025. The remaining sites have yet to reveal their completion dates.
Currently, 15 of Qatar’s high-end hotels are already under construction, while twelve more are in the pre-opening phase. Four developments are in the planning stage, and two are in the pre-planning phase.
Top players
Marriott International leads the field with at least six high-end hotel projects in the pipeline in Qatar. One notable development is the W Marriott Al Dafna Area, West Bay, which will open in Doha by the end of 2023. It will have 297 rooms in a 53-story skyscraper.
Following closely is Accor, with a minimum of four additions. These include Rixos Doha Qetaifan, a 345-room luxury hotel, which will open in November. It will be located in the Qetaifan Islands development, which also features a waterpark and a theme park.
Meanwhile, Hilton Worldwide and Central Hospitality International have three projects each.
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