Sustainable Tourism Development in Qatar: Features, Planning, and Impact

This report discusses sustainable tourism development in Qatar, including the features of tourism development planning at various levels, the significance of interactive planning systems, and methods to measure tourist impact. It also explores methods of resolving conflicts of interest and the moral and ethical issues of enclave tourism. Recommendations for future development are provided.

Sustainable Tourism
Development

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................2
P1.1 & P1.2..................................................................................................................................2
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................3
P2.1 Analysing features of tourism development planning at various levels in Qatar................3
P2.2 Significance of interactive planning systems and processes in tourism development in
Qatar............................................................................................................................................5
P2.3 Evaluating different methods to measure tourist impact in Qatar.......................................6
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................8
P3.1, P3.2 & P3.3.........................................................................................................................8
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................9
P4.1 Methods of resolving conflict of interests to ensure future wellbeing of a developing
tourism destination.......................................................................................................................9
P4.2 Implication of balancing supply and demand....................................................................10
P4.3 Moral and ethical issue of enclave tourism.......................................................................11
TASK 5..........................................................................................................................................12
P5.1 Comparing current issues associated with tourism development in Qatar and Mexico....12
P5.2 Recommending future development of tourism................................................................13
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................14
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................15
BIBLIOGRAPHY..........................................................................................................................17

INTRODUCTION
Sustainable tourism is the concept which is committed to make low consequence on local
and environmental culture and also help in future development of local people. This also refers to
the activity level of tourism that is maintained in long term which benefits socially,
economically, naturally and culturally (Basu, 2017). The report aims at discussing about
stakeholder’s benefits from tourism development in Qatar. In addition to this, the features of
tourism development at various levels are mentioned. The justification of sustainability concept
is also described. The ethical and moral issues in Qatar about tourism are evaluated in this
context as well. Lastly, recommendations for the future development of this industry are given.
1

TASK 1
P1.1 & P1.2
Covered in leaflet
2

TASK 2
P2.1 Analysing features of tourism development planning at various levels in Qatar
Tourism development planning is that process that includes to understand flow and
framework of designing plan of tourism. This will include setting up of goals, developing
strategies and then outlining the task and schedules so that goal of tourism could be
accomplished (Bunakov, Zhukova and Zhukov, 2015). This process will have multidimensional
activities so that all could be integrated like that of political, social, economic and technological
factor. In way of planning for developing tourism in Qatar there are various features that need to
be included so that it is analysed. As this planning will focus on exploring the contribution of
tourism to Sustainable development goals which were an agenda presented in National Tourism
Sector Strategy 2030. In order to achieve these goals it is important to organise training events so
that awareness could be created for impact of tourism and sustainable business practices need.
National
It is noted that at national level government of Qatar will be contributing within the
development of tourism so that they are supporting it. Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) is that
body of government which plan, formulate and administer all sort of rules, regulations and laws
in relation to promoting and then developing tourism in country. This is also included that Qatar
is regarded to as safe country for tourist even for solo women travellers as well (Amir, Jamal and
Ahmad, 2015). So this is the best feature of tourism development planning within Qatar.
International
Apart from this national level contribution of government of Qatar there are also
international bodies which are promoting the tourism in developing countries like that of Qatar.
World Tourism Organisation is one of them which are responsible for promoting sustainable
tourism which is a global platform for tourism development planning (Selin, 2017). This will be
promote development of planning for sustainable tourism at international level so that countries
like that of Qatar are getting increased number of tourist each year. WTO also states that
wherever people travel, or whenever they travel they should remember to respect nature, culture
and host as well.
Local
Local level authorities will help promoting the tourism at that level where nor national
neither international body could be able to work upon. They will be forming link within
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government and tourist so that visitors are not having any sort of problem while visiting Qatar.
The local people will also have some contribution within the tourism development planning as
they will help higher authority to look into areas which need improvement.
Regional
The regional government of Qatar will include autonomous bodies and municipalities as
they have important role in creating awareness in regard with tourism among local people
(Torres-Delgado and Saarinen, 2014). Thus these local people will contribute into tourism
development planning and deciding over certain actions for future.
4

P2.2 Significance of interactive planning systems and processes in tourism development in Qatar
Interactive planning system will be defined to as creating focus on future by designing
pleasant present. This aimed at thinking upon systems like company believe that future of
organisation will be depending on their current policy now and then, after this what is to be done.
This type of planning will play important and significant role in success of tourism development
as this includes regulating changes within system so it could ensure achievement of intentions
like that of economic, social and environment.
The planning of tourism development within Qatar will mean that stakeholders of local
government are benefitted with overall improvement (Zamfir and Corbos, 2015). Like when
2006 Asian Games held at Doha, Qatar it was seen the major example of interactive planning
system into development of tourism in country. This interactive planning system and process in
tourism will be playing very significant role in developing and promoting tourism in Qatar. As
there are many issues related to tourism in any country like that of environmental damages,
overcrowding or congestion and these are mainly due to not proper planning about development.
So with the help of interactive planning country will be able to collaborate and contribute into
proper planning thus allowing Qatar to improve its process of planning.
5

P2.3 Evaluating different methods to measure tourist impact in Qatar
Tourism provides economic growth in allowing increased in number of income and
employment opportunities to country so that they could be able to develop community resources
(Weber, 2017). If there are improvement into service and infrastructures will help tourist and
locals of Qatar thus increasing the number of people visiting country. Impact of tourist or
tourism will included that of having both positive and negative mix of beliefs and attitude or
people in creating cosmopolitan culture of Qatar as well. There are various types of methods
which help to measure impact of tourism and tourist in any country like that of Cambridge
Economic Impact Model, Pro Poor Tourism and Environmental Impact Studies.
Cambridge Economic Impact Model (STEAM model) - This is that type that includes
the economic impact of tourism from bottom to top with use of local supply and tourism
preference data collection. STEAM model will structured framework that is having capacity of
accepting wider range of tourism input data. These input data will be adjusted on monthly bases
so that seasonal demand and supply could be easily measured (STEAM model, 2018). This is
measured by keeping 4 types of visitors within country:
 Staying in service accommodation
 Staying in non-serviced accommodation
 Staying with friends and relatives
 Tourist day visitor
Thus this will be allowing to measure the output of difference between consumption and
supply of the tourism service within the business.
Pro Poor Tourism- This is also another method of measuring impact of tourism in Qatar
which includes improving local economy for the local people with the contribution within
tourism (Pro Poor Tourism, 2018). This will be enhancing link among poor people and tourism
business as well so that poverty could be reduced and they are been able to participate effectively
within development of tourism. The main aim of pro poor will be meaning number of effects on
poverty reduction before and after introduction of tourism within economy or local area of Qatar.
Environmental Impact Studies- There is many studies which show impact of
development of tourism on environment. As there are many changes which are measured after
introducing improvement within tourism of country among which impact on environment is
major (Sharpley and Telfer, 2015). There are times when ecological degradation due to increase
6

in tourism activities are proven so local and national authorities must be planning for helping the
environmental effects.
7

TASK 3
P3.1, P3.2 & P3.3
Enclosed in PPT
8

TASK 4
P4.1 Methods of resolving conflict of interests to ensure future wellbeing of a developing
tourism destination
There are certain conflicts of interest between
various stakeholders of sustainability
development like that between planner,
tour operator, tourist, government and
local community (Pulido-Fernández,
Andrades-Caldito and Sánchez-Rivero,
2015). Everyone is having their own
perception
towards
sustainability development in tourism
which could be different from the other.
Like government would be trying to improve
tourism that will help them to improve rate
of employment and lower down in
poverty. But on the other hand local
community or international organisations
will be trying to brining certain
improvement within environment with
improving employment in tourism sector.
There are many types of conflicts which
Negotiation
This is the most important method of
conflict there must be communication between
all stakeholders so that they are interacting and
helping to solve problem of interest
(Giampiccoli and Mtapuri, 2015). If the parties
who are included within tourism sector are
coming together are communicating and
planning together then this would be lowering
down impact on sustainable development.
Mediation
Under this type of method there will be
jointly collaboration of all stakeholders who
are contributing into increase in conflict so that
issue among them are reduced. like
government of Qatar must be opening way of
employment for local people and community
so that
there is
increased in rate of employment and lower
down in poverty of lower class people of
country.
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could arise like tension between planner
this means that planning which tour
operator is trying to do is not correct and
not according to client. There could be
problem with government that could base
on any matter like that of land issue and
water or electricity problems. Apart from
this relationship of guest and host is not
correct or proper could also be another
reason for conflict of interest in
developing the destination of tourist.
There are certain methods of resolving
these conflict of interest so that further
wellbeing of developing tourism
destination like that of Qatar will include
like that of negotiation and mediation.
10

P4.2 Implication of balancing supply and demand
It is very much important that there is
balance in supply and demand of
tourist within the tourism sector which
will be resulting in clearer target
achievement and development of
sector for further year as well. Supply
should be equal to demand of number
of products and service expected
within market of consumer (Fahimi,
Seraj and Akadiri, 2018). Thus this
will be leading to increase in
satisfaction of customers and
contributing in economic development
of Qatar as well. Demand in the
tourism sector will refer to as amount
or quantity of products and service
that are wanted by visitors or tourist in
one
single country while supply will be
the amount of quantity of products
actually served to customers.
While supply will be number of organisations or
tour operators who are providing tourism related
products and services within any one destination
like that of Qatar. Qatar is regarded to as fast
growing destination for having more than 1.8
million visitors till September 2017. However there
are relative numbers of supply in tourism sector of
Qatar so it is defined to as very much important for
balancing revenues and expense within the tourism
industry of country.
There are also included the social and
economic implication if the supply and demand
within tourism sector is very much essential. Like
there will be intensified pressure on resources on
society which will be leading to increase in
competition. Government will be putting on limits
upon function of tour operator and hospitality
industry as well.
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There will be number of factors which
are impacting demand of tourism like
that of prices, income of customer,
production and source of tourism. So
it is required to maintain the link
between both demand and supply for
products and services within tourism
sector of Qatar. In more simple terms
demand will be number of people
travelling to Qatar for business or any
purpose from all over world (Harris
and Wise, 2017).
12

P4.3 Moral and ethical issue of enclave tourism
Enclave tourism is that type of tourism which
includes designing or planning tourist activity
in small geographic area which will allow
visitors to experience their travel intentions in
one area without going anywhere far
(Alhowaish, 2016). Mostly this type of tourism
is done by government to promote that area of
country which is more undeveloped but having
opportunities of development as tourist
destination. The cruise and ship industry is one
that type of economic enclave tourist which is
taking people to encouraging them in spending
time on ports and cruise as well.
There will be certain moral and ethical issue
which are associated with enclave tourism like
that the local community of Qatar will not be
getting direct benefit from this. As there will
be restriction within the accessibility of them
and government will be doing this to get or
increase profit maximisation by not giving
anything to local people (Stephenson and Al-
Hamarneh, 2017). All the sanction of license
by government will be done on unethical
ground so that government could expand their
business. Other than this there are many
different type of people from various places
who are living within Qatar so this will create
transitional culture. There will be increased in
unethical and illegal human trafficking, child
labour, prostitution of women due to higher
demand of tourism.
TASK 5
P5.1 Comparing current issues associated with tourism development in Qatar and Mexico
There are certain issues which are related to Qatar and Mexico within tourism
development which are both different form each other. Aviation sector is only emitting 55% of
CO2 and the impact of all type of greenhouse gas like CH, CFC, CO2 and N2O by aviation and
tourism will account to much higher impact on climate (Alfaraidy and Furlan, 2017).
Qatar Mexico
Qatar there is energy consumption and wastage
of water which is one of the major issue in
terms of number of increase in tourism.
While job creation and contribution of local
economy into Mexico is regarded to as one of
the major issue within tourism development.
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This is mostly linked with hotels and
restaurants which are consuming higher
amount of energy and wasting water which is
impacting environment of country.
Tourism sector is meant to employ highest
number of people within its companies which
is not aligning with quality of staff who could
be able to handle all problems (Musinguzi,
2016).
This was studied that about 72% of CO2
emission of tourism is due to transportation,
24% from accommodation and 4% of it from
local activities.
While one of the main issue of Mexico will be
lowering the poverty and employment rate
within country.
Food safety is also another issue which is
leading into Qatar which is not ensuring
product traceability and safety of food in
tourism sector (Zaidan, Taillon and Lee, 2016).
But then also it is having more that 35 million
international tourist in 2016 which is included
to as record of number of visitors in country.
Qatar is regarded to as very safe country to
travel. Even for women travelling solo or
independent Qatar is regarded as safe.
While on other hand Mexico is having higher
rate of crimes within country so generally not
regarded as safe.
Qatar is facing issues like air and water
pollution.
There are many environmental related problem
which Mexico is facing like pollution, factory
discharges and waste dumping.
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P5.2 Recommending future development of tourism
The overall tourism sector is having around $2.4 trillion annually which will be growing
to about $3.5 trillion in 2027 which results into 10% of the global employment. There is
increasing trend of travellers from all over the world like that of youngsters, solo traveller,
women tourists and middle class as well (Masa’deh, Suliman and Albawab, 2017). There is
increase in awareness through social media and cost of air travel is decreasing as well so that
these will also be improving the future of development of tourism sector. While, there are certain
recommendations which are made for the future development of tourism in Qatar and Mexico as
well.
Green tourism- This is one of the most increasing trends of tourism sector which is known as
nature based or sustainable tourism that helps within growth of future due to awareness of people
for negative impact of tourism. Both Qatar and Mexico should be including this green tourism
which will help them to grow their tourism business within country.
Sustainable growth strategy- This includes proper planning for the growth of sustainable
development of tourism sector (Rizzo, 2017). Qatar and Mexico should be making certain
strategies for building a strong destination with considering higher range of challenges and
seeking good input from stakeholders in the sector.
Generation of employment- It is also recommended that in way of developing tourism within
both countries it is important that they are generating higher number of employment.
Development of private sector- For both countries it is required that they are developing their
private sector which will help them in privatisation and brining innovation and digital
technology.
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CONCLUSION
From the above report of sustainable tourism development, it is noted that this concept is
very much important for Qatar which is a destination tourism place. This will be helping
development of tourism sector under having strategic planning and recommending ways for the
future growth. It is also concluded that it is required to have proper equality or balance within
demand and supply of tourists within tourism sector which helps the sector to properly meet
customer expectations.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Alfaraidy, M. and Furlan, R., 2017. Sense of Community in Al-Wakrah City: Strategies for the
Development of Sustainable Communities in Qatar.
Alhowaish, A.K., 2016. Is Tourism Development a Sustainable Economic Growth Strategy in
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Amir, A.F., Jamal, S.A. and Ahmad, K.N., 2015. Sustainable tourism development: A study on
community resilience for rural tourism in Malaysia. Procedia-Social and Behavioral
Sciences. 168. pp.116-122.
Basu, P.K., 2017. Is sustainable tourism development possible? Broad issues concerning
Australia and Papua New Guinea. In Tourism and Economic Development (pp. 140-149).
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Bunakov, O.A., Zhukova, M.A. and Zhukov, V.A., 2015. Research on the evolution of
management concepts of sustainable tourism and hospitality development in the
regions. Journal of Sustainable Development. 8(6). p.39.
Fahimi, A., Seraj, M. and Akadiri, A.C., 2018. Testing the role of tourism and human capital
development in economic growth. A panel causality study of micro states. Tourism
Management Perspectives. 28. pp.62-70.
Giampiccoli, A. and Mtapuri, O., 2015. Tourism development in Qatar: Towards a
diversification strategy beyond the conventional 3 Ss.
Harris, J. and Wise, N., 2017. Sports events, tourism, development and regeneration: A
perspective from Gulf States of Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Qatar. In Sport, Events, Tourism
and Regeneration (pp. 9-23). Routledge.
Masa’deh, R.E., Suliman, M. and Albawab, M., 2017. The Effect of Hotel Development on
Sustainable Tourism Development. International Journal of Business
Administration. 8(4). p.16.
Musinguzi, D., 2016. Trends in tourism research on Qatar: A review of journal
publications. Tourism Management Perspectives. 20. pp.265-268.
Pulido-Fernández, J.I., Andrades-Caldito, L. and Sánchez-Rivero, M., 2015. Is sustainable
tourism an obstacle to the economic performance of the tourism industry? Evidence from
an international empirical study. Journal of Sustainable Tourism. 23(1). pp.47-64.
Rizzo, A., 2017. Sustainable urban development and green megaprojects in the Arab states of the
Gulf Region: limitations, covert aims, and unintended outcomes in Doha,
Qatar. International Planning Studies. 22(2). pp.85-98.
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Selin, S., 2017. Elaborating the Role of Backbone Leadership Organizations in Sustainable
Tourism Development: The Monongahela River Valley Coalition. Sustainability. 9(8).
p.1367.
Sharpley, R. and Telfer, D.J., 2015. Tourism and development in the developing world.
Routledge.
Stephenson, M.L. and Al-Hamarneh, A. eds., 2017. International Tourism Development and the
Gulf Cooperation Council States: Challenges and Opportunities. Taylor & Francis.
Torres-Delgado, A. and Saarinen, J., 2014. Using indicators to assess sustainable tourism
development: a review. Tourism Geographies. 16(1). pp.31-47.
Weber, A.S., 2017. Creative industries tourism in Qatar: economy diversification through arts
and heritage development. Tourism in South East Europe.... 4. pp.645-655.
Zaidan, E., Taillon, J. and Lee, S., 2016. Societal implications of UAE tourism
development. Anatolia. 27(4). pp.543-545.
Zamfir, A. and Corbos, R.A., 2015. Towards sustainable tourism development in urban areas:
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Online
Pro Poor Tourism. 2018. [Online]. Accessed through: <http://www.ecotourdirectory.com/pro-
poor-tourism.htm>.
STEAM model. 2018. [Online]. Accessed through:
<http://www.globaltourismsolutions.co.uk/steam-model>.
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
http://www.ecotourdirectory.com/pro-poor-tourism.htm
http://www.globaltourismsolutions.co.uk/steam-model
19