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Business / Qatar Business

Qatar’s hospitality sector plays crucial role in economic growth

Published: 11 Dec 2024 - 10:05 am | Last Updated: 11 Dec 2024 - 10:07 am
Peninsula

Joel Johnson | The Peninsula

Doha: The hospitality industry in Qatar is drastically booming given the country’s great efforts in welcoming visitors through diverse events over the years, said an official.

As per the latest rankings by Great Place to Work Middle East, Qatar-based firms have been ranked among the top 25 list, demonstrating innovation, employee engagement, and an unyielding commitment to excellence within the hospitality industry.

In an interview with The Peninsula, Jules Youssef, Managing Director of Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, and Kuwait at Great Place to Work Middle East, highlighted the state-of-the-art facilities and infrastructures that drive the workforce in the country.

He lauded Qatar for its dedication to organising numerous global events including FIFA World Cup, F1 Cup, Web Summit, Doha Forum, and other cultural activities, which paved the way for bolstering its industry and contributing to the increase in occupancy rates.

Youssef said, “The Best Workplaces in Hospitality list identified and celebrated the companies within the Hospitality industry that do not only pay attention to customers by providing them with top-notch services but also go the extra mile when it comes to their employees.”

The official pointed out that this list provides opportunities to companies, which places employees first to be recognised and for their efforts to be taken as an example of what can be accomplished within the market.

He remarked that hospitality is an industry that impacts a country’s economy and Qatar is a great example of how this industry can be a crucial part when it comes to economic growth.

“Qatar plays a key role across the GCC by leading in the generated revenue driven by the hospitality industry,” he said.

The future of work and specifically the Hospitality industry was heavily impacted by COVID, noted Youssef adding that “Companies within this industry went to great lengths to balance being back to work and at the same time introducing new initiatives to support employees.”

However, studies indicate that these same firms have introduced initiatives that support employees personally affected by the pandemic and welcomed them back with programs that would ease their return including ‘remote work’ and ‘decreased working hours’.

The list shows that Qatar’s Mcdonalds by Al Mana was ranked first, followed by other companies across the GCC.

The remaining 24 companies in the hospitality rank include McDonald’s UAE by Emirates Fast Food Company LLC, Mood Rooftop Lounge, AURA SKYPOOL LOUNGE, Shangri La Jeddah, Adagio Premium Hotel Apartment Jumeirah the Palm, IHG, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, Accor Hotels, Pizza Express, Mott32, Five Hotels, Hilton, Hilton al Habtoor City Complex, Wyndham, Goldfish Sushi & Yakitori, Amsa Hospitality, Lola Taberna Española, Boutique Group, RAISE Fitness & Wellness, Radisson Blu, Millennium Hotels, Marriott International, Radisson RED and Kun Sports Company.