Qatar’s growth path is evident in its hotel, restaurant and café sectors, as the market readies itself as a tourism hub. Many suppliers, consultants and international investors have taken notice and are now capitalising on the opportunities available in Qatar, according to a press statement.
The trend is driving new levels of importance and record demand for Qatar’s largest hospitality trade exhibition, Hospitality Qatar 2016, taking place at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre from October 18 to 20.
Latest reports from BMI Research indicate that the value of the hotel, restaurant and café industry (Horeca) is more than $1.6bn (up 5.4% versus a year ago). The research anticipates this value will rise another 38% to $2.2B by 2020. The growth is fuelled by increased investment as well as Qatar’s rising popularity as a destination, especially among GCC residents.
“The growth in the hotel, restaurant and café sectors is happening simultaneously, staging a vibrant business environment for companies in the supply chain. This has fuelled the response for the oversubscribed Hospitality Qatar 2016 exposition. Companies involved in the franchising, build-out, equipment supply, infrastructure, safety, or maintenance of hotels, restaurants and cafés are riding the wave of opportunity,” the statement noted.
Key sponsors of Hospitality Qatar 2016 - Al Sraiya Hotels & Hospitality Group (diamond sponsor), Askar Industrial Co (official kitchen sponsor), Boeker Qatar (associate and hygiene sponsor), Inox Kitchen Equipment (associate partner), Americana (silver sponsor), Falcon Technical & Trading Company (registration sponsor), Haidari Trading (fruit & vegetables sponsor), Felchlin, Schapfen and Master Baker (category sponsors) and Nestle, Maggi, Sadia and US Meat Export Federation (live cooking sponsors) - are all seeking to claim their share of rising Horeca demand in Qatar and the region.
The Qatar Hospitality exhibition has shown a track record of success with a 100% renewal rate of key sponsors as well as a higher-than-expected exhibitor turnout, the statement points out.
Speaking on the growing success of Hospitality Qatar, project manager Rawad Sleem was quoted as saying: “This edition of Hospitality Qatar 2016 is already exceeding our lofty expectations and appears to be fuelled by the strong growth in the building of hotels plus Horeca expansion in the country.”
An earlier edition of Hospitality Qatar. File picture.
Fourteen companies have extended support to Hospitality Qatar 2016 as sponsors with an eye on tapping market opportunities, the organisers have said.
