The Tourism and Exhibition Committee of Qatar Chamber held a meeting at QC's headquarters on Wednesday on the main obstacles facing the development of the tourism sector and exhibitions in Qatar. The meeting reviewed a number of the programs to be launched by Qatar Tourism Authority and Qatar Airways in the coming period. 
It also discussed the difficulties in obtaining tourist visas for some categories, which negatively affect domestic tourism, along with the ongoing arrangements to hold a seminar in May, which will attract a large number of businessmen and owners of hotels, tourism and travel offices. The event, which is being organized in cooperation with international offices, will review the main touristic programs which will be launched during the coming period as part of promoting and advertising them.
HE Sheikh Hamad bin Ahmed bin Abdullah Al-Thani BOD member of Qatar Chamber and Chairman of the Tourism and Exhibition Committee said as one of the sectors that plays an important role in the economic development process, the Tourism Committee highlighted a number of challenges facing the tourism sector.
He stressed that the Tourism and Exhibition Committee has identified a number of obstacles in a comprehensive study, which it has prepared, noting the constant contact with the concerned parties in order to seek lasting solutions to these obstacles.
The lack of various entertainment venues such as water cities and resorts are among the most prominent obstacles, he said, adding that the occupancy rate of hotels is still below the level and rely heavily on business tourism and GCC visitors.
Difficulties in obtaining tourist visas, expensive flights and services rates in some hotels, discouraging promotions at retail outlets in malls along with weak promotional programs for Qatar as a global tourist destination are among the main obstacles faced by tourist sector, he concluded. 

Source: QNA