Background:
Following its appointment as the host country for the FIFA 2022 World Cup, Qatar Development Bank and Qatar Tourism Authority recognised that the country could gain greater economic benefit from tourism by further strengthening the links in its tourism value. A priority was the fulfillment of the requirement outlined in the Qatar National Vision 2030 to diversify the country’s economy away from its reliance on hydrocarbons.
Project Objectives:
The objective of the project was to investigate, evaluate and bring to implementation product and business development opportunities for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the tourism sector. A key requirement involved the preparation of a framework for the development of attractions, activities and facilities catering for the broad range of visitor market segments in preparation for the large inflows of tourists for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Project Activities:
- Assessment of existing of tourism product in Qatar
- Market research (to identify market potential, new product development opportunities)
- Consultation with public and private stakeholders
- Best practice/case studies
- Tourism product gap analysis
- Competitor overview
- Preparation of criteria for tourism project identification
- Tourism product development recommendations
- Preparation of profiles/project outlines for 25 tourism SME opportunities
Project Outcome and Impacts:
QTA and QDB have sanctioned the implementation of 6 of the projects on a priority basis. The projects will be procured via public tenders. These projects serve to enhance the role of the private sector and increase Qatar’s competitiveness.
Links
QDB - Annoucement of 6 Projects