DOHA: With the luxury segment in Qatar’s hospitality sector reaching to a saturation point, what the country needed is more mid-scale properties. The industry has enough market potential in this segment, a veteran in the global hospitality sector said.
Now, Qatar has enough luxury hotels. Given the kind of events that is being lined up by Qatar for the coming years, what the country really need is a good number of mid-size hotels, Kurt Ritter (pictured), President and CEO of The Rezidor Hotel Group that manages the Radisson Blu Doha, told The Peninsula. “Qatar is one of the fastest growing economies in the world and one of the richest nations. It is becoming more and more important destination for global travellers. The country’s hospitality sector is set to grow further in the coming years and we see Qatar as one of our key markets in the region”, he said.
The Group which was behind re-branding the Ramada as Radisson Blu, will also be managing the upcoming Hotel Missoni Doha that is scheduled to open in 2015. The Rezidor has over a dozen properties in pipeline in the region for next three years.
The Group is currently operating a total of 32 hotels in 11 countries across the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region. Recent openings include Radisson Royal Dubai, RB Resort Fujairah, RB Dubai Downtown Kurt said.
“The future openings include four in Saudi Arabia and UAE; two in Oman, two in Tunisia. Qatar, Saudi Arabia and UAE are our key markets. We have biggest pipeline in sub Sahara and over 100 projects in the Middle East in long-term,” he said
Kurt said the change in name would be soon reflected on Radisson Blu’s services. “We will soon activate our sales channels and our global network operations. The property has already undergone a renovation process. Here we have 583 guest rooms and suites designed in intriguing styles from modern to Arabic and Japanese”, he said.
Kurt has been heading The Rezidor Hotel Group as President & CEO for more than two decades. Highly acclaimed as the longest serving CEO in the global hotel industry, he has been with the company over 30 years. Kurt will step down on December 31, 2012.
The Peninsula
