Taking tourism to new heights

Not too long ago, Qatar was a quiet British protectorate on a peninsula jutting into the Persian Gulf. Known mainly for its pearling industry, Qatar made little waves on an international level. However, when the Japanese introduced the cultured pearl on the world market in the 1920s and 30s, this backbone of Qatar’s economy faltered.

Things then took a turn for the better, beginning in the 1940s with the discovery of oil. Since then, Qatar has only looked back to preserve the best of its traditions and the beauty of its heritage. Today, it is a highly modern, cutting-edge state that is a true mediator in the region and plays a role in the global marketplace quite out of proportion with its geographical size.

The considerable wealth the oil and gas industry has created translates into a high standard of living, state-of-the-art buildings and services, a greater participation in international sporting and cultural events, a higher awareness of environmental issues, and of course, a growing tourism sector. 

Visitors from around the world can choose to fly into Qatar on one of the world’s best airlines, Qatar Airways. Winner of Skytrax World’s Best Business Class, Best Business Class Catering in the World, and Best Economy Class in the World, Qatar Airways links the emirate to more than 100 international destinations with its comfortable fleet of aircraft, which includes 19 Boeing 777s. Due to growing relations with the U.S., the airline has opened three direct routes to New York, Washington, and most recently, Houston.

The only Middle Eastern carrier chosen as part of the elite club of Five Star airlines (Skytrax 2009/10) and now ranked third-best in the world, Qatar Airways is also innovating fuel efficiency. The airline has partnered with various U.S. companies, Qatar Petroleum, Airbus, and the Qatar Science and Technology Park to reach targets of zero CO2 emissions growth by 2020.

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Qatar Airways operates out of Doha International Airport, which is currently being expanded to keep up with current and forecasted passenger and cargo traffic demands.

“The existing airport’s ultimate capacity is 12 million passengers per annum only. This prompted H.H. the Emir of Qatar to issue directions that it is time for Qatar to build not only a new airport but one of the best in the world,” explains Abdul Aziz Mohammed Al Noaimi, chairman of Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA).

MEDCO, a United Development Company (UDC) JV, has led dredging works, which are reclaiming 40% of the new airport’s site from the sea.

Once the first phase is completed in late 2011, NDIA will have an annual capacity of 24 million passengers and 750,000 tons of cargo. Ultimately, capacities will rise to 50 million passengers, 2 million tons of cargo, and parking positions for 100 aircraft, thus ensuring Qatar’s needs are met throughout the 21st century.

This expansion is huge by any standard, yet it is even more impressive taking into account that in the 1950s, Doha’s single runway received just one plane monthly. QCAA, which has played a pivotal role in all airport growth projects, also took part in establishing Qatar Airways back in 1994.

More than 35,000 people have worked on building the NDIA, which will feature the Passenger Terminal – complete with a public mosque, a man-made lagoon, extensive areas for duty free, retail, and food and beverage, a 100-room transit hotel, lounges and many other amenities – and the beautifully designed Emiri Terminal.

In the Emiri Pavilion, there will be a special area where H.H. the Emir can receive foreign heads of state, minister’s quarters, VVIP quarters, and a ceremonial podium outside where an aircraft with jet-bridge may be parked.