QATAR – Gulf state Qatar has big plans to match its fast economic growth in recent years with major events.
With business acquisitions including the purchase of London luxury department store, Harrods, the Qataris are hoping to clinch a surprise bid win for the FIFA World Cup 2022. The Gulf state is also one of the final two potential candidates to win the World Chambers Federation’s 8th World Chambers Congress in 2013.
Major events recently held include the second Doha Tribeca Film Festival in October.
The state’s hotel bedroom stock will increase to 26,000 by 2012, with the UK’s Premier Inn being the latest to announce plans to open a property in Education City.
Phase One of the New Doha International Airport is set to open at the beginning of 2012 and be able to handle 24 million passengers per year, three times the capacity of the current airport. By 2013, Qatar Airways plans to serve 120 key business and leisure destinations worldwide with a fleet of 120 aircraft.
Qatar National Convention Centre Director of Sales Sue Hocking says the QNCC project, the biggest in the region, is on track for opening mid-2011, said: “QNCC is bang on schedule and extremely well placed to continue the country’s efforts to bring world innovative events to Qatar to meet the ever-growing needs of the market. QNCC will be the largest convention and exhibition centre in the Middle East when completed.”
With its signature sidra tree entrance nearing completion, QNCC’s Phase One (Convention Centre) is now 70 per cent complete. Over 4,500 people are working on site and interior wall finishes in Italian marble are being installed. Air-conditioned travellators 275m long and 9m wide will connect the centre directly to the car park.
The Qataris claim the QNCC, when it opens, will be the most technically advanced convention centre in the world, with three floors dedicated to meeting space, including 40,000 square metres of exhibition space, a dedicated conference hall with space for up to 4,000 people and a 2,300-seat lyric style theatre.
