Sustainable Tourism Development in Qatar: A Comprehensive Analysis

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SUSTAINABLE TOURISM
DEVELOPMENT

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction..................................................................................................................................................1
Task 1...........................................................................................................................................................2
1.1 & 1.2 Discuss how stakeholders can benefit the planning of tourism development and discuss
advantages and disadvantages of public & private sector with reference to Qatar.................................2
Task 2...........................................................................................................................................................4
2.1 Analyze the features of tourism planning development at various levels with the references to
Qatar........................................................................................................................................................4
2.2 Evaluate the significance of the interactive planning systems and processes in the tourism
development with reference to Qatar.......................................................................................................5
2.3 Evaluate the different methods available to measure tourist impact with reference to Qatar...........5
Task 3...........................................................................................................................................................7
3.1 Justify the introduction of the concept of sustainability in tourism development of Qatar...............8
3.2 Analyze the factors that may prevent or hinder the sustainable tourism development in Qatar.....10
3.3 Analyze the stages in planning sustainability in Qatar....................................................................12
Task 4.........................................................................................................................................................15
4.1 Evaluate the methods for resolving issues of interest for ensuring the future wellbeing of
developing tourism destination..............................................................................................................15
4.2 Analyze the implications of balancing the supply and demand in Qatar........................................15
4.3 Evaluate the moral and ethical issues of the enclave tourism in the Qatar......................................16
Task 5.........................................................................................................................................................17
5.1 Compare the current issues associated with tourism development in developing country and an
emerging destination where impacts of tourism are different...............................................................17
5.2 Evaluate, with recommendations, the future development of tourism in these chosen destinations.
...............................................................................................................................................................18
Conclusion.................................................................................................................................................19

References..................................................................................................................................................20

Introduction
Sustainable tourism can be referred as the tourism that considers the full account of the present and
future economic, social and environmental influences, identifying the visitor’s wants, the sector, and the
climate and host communities. In the present study, the report will consider the country Qatar as it has
seen the uninterrupted growth in tourism. Due to this factor, the sustainable tourism planning will be
considered in concern with stakeholder’s benefits and public private partnerships benefits and
limitations. Different approaches to tourism development and planning will be discussed considering
diversification by the country.
Sustainable tourism concept, hurdles in achieving the development and planning stages of sustainability
in Qatar will also be completed in the report. The present issues in relation to tourism development
planning are to be taken for Qatar to increase the tourism in Qatar. Finally, the report will be examining
mainly three factors such as socio cultural, economic and environmental in comparison with two of the
destinations.
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Task 1
1.1 & 1.2 Discuss how stakeholders can benefit the planning of tourism development and discuss the
advantages and disadvantages of public & private sector with reference to Qatar
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Stakeholders benefits from tourism development in
Qatar
Public & Private partnership advantages &
disadvantages for Qatar
The planning in tourism
development is the part of
the government role for
tourism development
industry and because of it is
important to create the
objectives and develop the
strategies to meet them.
Stakeholders are the people
that get greater interest in
the industry of tourism and
due to this they get mainly
impacted with the tourism
operations.
Tourism organization gives
several facilities such as
accommodation, foods,
transportation and
infrastructure etc that are
dependent on development
of the tourism. Proper
planning will increase the
visitor’s footfall towards the
Qatar that will raise the
efficiency and profits.
Government has to consider the
sources of the revenue and the main
source is tax that the government
receives from the tourism sector and
the same is then used for the
development. The payment of VAT
and service tax the tourist pay’s is
applied against the plans of the
government. The plans are in
relation with development of
accommodation, transportation and
other important services for raising
tourism (Li and Hunter, 2015).
Public and private firms
linked with the industry of
tourism in Qatar supporting
in serving the tourist in best
manner. Public firm
includes the major facilities
like government
transportation and living.
While majorly private firms
offers good services in
relation with the
restaurants, leisure
activities or local guide
Disadvantages: Although the model gives
advantages but it brings disadvantages as well
such as risk and profit sharing and further
decision making is also shared that can creates
conflicts in the partnership. Further, the
government only allocate the funds to the
private firm and they eliminate their roles and
control over development (Mtapuri and
Giampiccoli, 2016). This situation sometime
results in lower quality of products to the
tourist that ultimately fall the tourism number
in Qatar. Moreover, the political laws in
relation to tax and employment also results into
negative influences on the operational
procedure of the partnership. Due to this
conflict, Qatar see occasional shocks.
Advantages: Public
private partnership
linked with the
tourism sector is
making efficient
use of the available
services to give
best to the
travellers. The
attraction towards
the sports tourism
is Qatar has been
increased and it is
due to collaboration
working.
Infrastructure
development,
maintenance
facilities is also
been raised in
Qatar due to
partnership
working. The other
risk elimination
will be on account
of environmental
regulations, failure
of the project that
can increase the
burden of
government and
private firm both.
Local resident
stakeholder also
benefits from the
tourism
development as for
them job
opportunities will
be created and with
this their standard
of living is also
Other significant stakeholder is the tourist
for whom planning is to be done. The main
objective is to offer them higher satisfaction
for the price they are paying. Hence,
planning in relation to development should
be done to offer higher quality in products.

Task 2
2.1 Analyze the features of tourism planning development at various levels with the references to Qatar
Planning in the tourism development is the procedure that aims in redefining and procedure formulation
that in turns helps in meeting the sustainable purposes of a particular area or country. Qatar takes the
development planning of tourism for meeting the objectives that involve tourist satisfaction, social and
economic development, environmental development, optimum use of resources, collaboration of
community etc (Budeanu et.al. 2016). This kind of development needs to take place at several levels
with including various features as well are mentioned below:-
International level: The planning of tourism development in Qatar mainly concentrates on raising the
tourism footfall for generating greater revenue for increasing the living standard of Qatar community. In
this concern the planning activities in relation to the logistics and infrastructure facilities. This thing will
attract the attention of the tourist at the global level (Vellas, 2016). The international government will
also make the initiatives for increasing the social, environmental and economical aspects by creating
effective marketing strategies.
National level: The Qatar Investment Authority earns the revenue from the oil and gas trading and the
amount was invested in the economical development of Qatar to increase more tourism. In concern with
the environmental factor production of natural gases and petrol was done at the level that does not
highly impacts the country and tourist feels safe to visit the place. This will consider the environmental
resources prevention and includes facilities construction for higher satisfaction to the customers.
Regional level: In this level, planning for development objective is to spread the awareness of local
communities and the tour operator organization on the significance of tourism development in Qatar.
The various laws and regulations are created by the regional government on the subject of various
facilities such as transportation, accommodation for integrating the tourist with local boundary services
so that travelers can go to the attractive location in various areas (Coccossis, 2017).
Sub regional level: At this level, development planning is conducted at small scale for increasing the
attractive locations of the sub region. The climatic conditions should also remain favorable for
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developing the tempting situation for the Qatar visitors. This level development involves attractive
points including the famous food corners, accommodations and transportation facilities.
2.2 Evaluate the significance of the interactive planning systems and processes in tourism development
with reference to Qatar
Interactive process of planning has the significant role in the development of tourism in Qatar as it
supports in making the consistent changes in the present planning system for ensuring several benefits in
relation to social, environmental and economic aspects (Mason, 2015). The Qatar Investment Authority
makes the necessary investment in the various areas such as oil, gas, high tech companies, and
automobiles and in FIFA world Cup to increase the place more attractive for the tourism to visit Qatar at
least once. For making the service of transportation easy, it procedure includes development of Qatar
Airways that is considered in top 100 features, it connects 150 destinations and promises to be the first
airline that serves globally to fly the most technical aircraft in the skies. This development offers higher
benefits to the stakeholders involved and gives better knowledge about the investments to meet
sustainable goals.
The planning is also in relation to the hospitality in Qatar and the development in Qatar is that it has
around 25, 310 rooms across 122 properties. This development planning supports in serving the needs
for the future generation of Qatar by offering proper resources. In addition, the procedure is helpful in
getting long term and short term objectives that involves proper planning of resources by gathering the
essential information about the development still Qatar is in need for managing sustainability (Coccossis
and Mexa, 2017). It can be said that the interactive planning is supportive in ensuring the tourist's safety
which is an important concern that supports the tourist to visit Qatar.
2.3 Evaluate the different methods available to measure tourist impact with reference to Qatar
There are models that can be applied to determine the impact of tourism in Qatar. The methods are
elaborated below:-
Pro poor tourism: Although Qatar has the highest per capita income in the world yet it comes in the
developing country due to the extremely small population. There is a high need for improving the
economic growth of Qatar and to raise the standard of local communities (Mowforth and Munt, 2015). It
helps to connect the job operations of poor people with the tourism business so that more jobs can be
created and development can be encouraged in the tourism industry.
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Economic impact model: Qatar has the highest natural gas reserves after Russia and Iran but then also
the total economy of the country is just 150 billion which is very less. On this account, it is important to
make use of this model to have correct tourism development and economic growth is increased. The
role of government planning will also be reflected in this model. It has been noticed that focus on
diversification strategy is to be placed. By raising the economic diversification in oil the income earned
will be passed to the tourism diversification that includes surgery, sport, shopping and skyscrapers. Its
focuses also include culture, nature and MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions). This
type of strategy in the model will support in identifying per tourist spending in Qatar and brings more
effective product offerings.
Environmental impact model: This type of studies usefully measures the impact of Qatar travelers on
environmental resources. It will help in gathering the information in relation with the natural resource
availability in relation to oil, natural gases along with identifying the resource shortage that places
negative influence on tourism growth (Singh, 2017). The strategies and policies development will also
be advantageous in determining the tourist impact on natural resources which is the main asset of Qatar.
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Task 3
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3.1 Justify the introduction of the concept of sustainability in tourism development of Qatar.
In relation to sustainability tourism concept, it is the development procedure that shows importance on
the various traits like social, economic, environmental and political. A proper traits implementation will
raise the tourism participation at the place Qatar. Sustainability issues can be in relation to ineffective
resource allotment and requirement in the tourism procedure (Iniesta-Bonillo et.al. 2016). In
sustainability, the application of triple bottom line theory shall be done in getting fast sustainability
result.
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Triple bottom line theory
The three basic elements in this theory support in sustainable development in Qatar. The first is
environmental aspect which is connected with the important natural resources such as oil and gas
reserves etc used by the authorities or tour operators. The focus is on the appropriate use of resources so
as to increase the earning of the country but reserving for the future generation as well to maintain long
term sustainability.
The second factors are social that is a concern with the living standard of the society with managing the
health services aspects as well (Winkler et.al. 2015). The society should be given knowledge about the
sustainable practices around their place to promote positive face of Qatar tourism.
The third one is the economical factor that related to the tax rate, literacy rate and economic fluctuations.
For increasing the economy rate of the country, the government can increase the tax rate of export of oil
and natural gases so that the earning can be invested in the sustainable practices in other areas of
improvements.
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Hence, triple line theory overall supports in raising the development at the national level with bringing
timely improvement and changes in main areas. This approach also determines the sustainability
significance for the Qatar economy.
3.2 Analyze the factors that may prevent or hinder sustainable tourism development in Qatar
The main hurdles are in relation to environmental degradation, income, education, pollution and other
resources. As the population is very less in Qatar the people are less educated and mainly involved in the
extraction activities of natural resources. This creates the main impact of not fulfilling the demand of the
tourist as a number of employment level is in the tourism industry to meet the desires (Cárdenas-García
and Pulido-Fernández, 2017). In this case, the common education is to be spread in the common society
through learning sessions so that they can understand the needs of the tourist visiting their areas.
The next issue is in relation with the natural resources that are used at the extreme level in Qatar for
exporting purpose. This directly impacts on the essential resources that the tourist need at the heritage
and cultural sites at Qatar. The human rights create the next hurdle in sustainable tourism in Qatar. As
human beings are essential to be included in the development cycle of sustainability hence, the
necessary rights should be provided to them to function as per their choice.
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At the small scale, the issues of basic resources such as food etc are not even fulfilled by the Qatar
development and highly dependent on Saudi Arabia. This place the negative impact as basic needs of the
tourist will also be not met in this case. The next hurdle is of airspace restrictions due to which Qatar
Airways has to cancel its flights for 18 regional destinations. This again places the big hurdle in
sustainable tourism development practices.
The issues of unavailability of funds for new stadiums and infrastructure projects for 2022 football
World Cup place the negative impact of tourism development as major growth of the Qatar government
was dependent on football tourism of 2022 (Kaplanidou et.al. 2016).
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3.3 Analyze the stages of planning sustainability in Qatar
The government and tourism industry should consider the stages in sustainability planning in Qatar:-
Putting aims and objectives: The government should place the SMART objectives that support in
meeting the purposes rather than keeping unrealistic aims that incur the heavy cost and not achievable as
well. The objectives shall relate to the infrastructure facilities, employment learning and environmental
situations resolving.
Marketing surveys: Information shall be collected from the market on the needs of the tourist in Qatar
which will give more revenue and solve many issues in sustainable tourism by proper implementation of
practices.
New surveys implementation: QTA should regularly conduct the new survey and analyse the impact
on the approaches and styles the tour industry takes to increase tourism (Karunasena et.al. 2016).
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Recommendation: Proper suggestions shall be offered by the QTA to the tourism industry after taking
the surveys. It can be given through conducting the common seminars on tourism development.
Implementation: The tourism sector should carry out the plan of implementation for meeting the aims
and objectives with including the new thoughts and changes along with.
Monitoring: Finally, the whole plan shall be monitored and reviewed by the Qatar authority so as to
bring the timely changes in managing the tourism sustainability and business growth as well.
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Task 4
4.1 Evaluate the methods for resolving issues of interest for ensuring the future wellbeing of developing
tourism destination
There are various methods that are to be considered for managing the well being of the future generation
in Qatar destination.
Enclave tourism: The enclave tourism can be developed in Qatar to ensure that tourist can enjoy the
whole destination at the particular place instead of visiting every corner in Qatar. The government
should develop transparent policies so that every stakeholder can be benefitted from the same (Nunkoo
and Ramkissoon, 2016).
Stakeholder relationship: All the stakeholders shall maintain good relations so that conflicts can be
reduced and more profits and objective meeting can be resulted. The effective and secured
communication medium shall be adopted by the country to ensure future sustainability.
Host guest relationships: For implementing the relationship with the tourist the tour industry of Qatar
should develop the attractive ways of welcoming by adopting constructive means (Bimonte and Punzo,
2016). It will place a positive impact on tourism growth of the hospitality sector.
Conflicts reflections: The behaviour can be amended and industries procedure can take place into the
conflicts in travellers and tour operators. In proper alliances, the changes shall be made so that
stakeholders can be benefitted.
4.2 Analyze the implications of balancing the supply and demand in Qatar
In a general scenario, supply means the process of market access and along with managing the tourism
products and services that are taken by a tourist. At various destinations in Qatar, the tourism prices are
quite high in relation to accommodation, transportation seen by the supply forces at the particular
locations. It also involves infrastructure facilities and museums development as well. Further, the 2022
World Cup has promoted Qatar at great scale and high promotions have increased the chances of
tourism in Qatar.
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On the other side, demand can be met by giving attractive tourism products so that tourist can consume
the same. It is important to increase the product supply according to the demand so that prices shall
remain the same (Pearce, 2016). Further, if proper supply cycle is not maintained with the increasing
demand the prices will get higher and result in low purchasing power of the tourist and reduction in
sustainable tourism at Qatar. Vice versa situation is also good for the tourism development as visitors
will not be valued more in this case. Hence, it is important for the regulatory authorities to manage the
demand and supply function to maintain consistent tourism growth.
4.3 Evaluate the moral and ethical issues of the enclave tourism in Qatar
The enclave tourism is effective as it offers luxurious services at one place and this increases profits and
incomes of the country. The local businesses are highly benefitted with this type of tourism but with
concern with tourist are that customers stay at one place only which in turn impacts the tourism
economic factors in the country. The local culture will be violated and unknown to the tourist as they are
occupied in one hotel or resort. On this account, the balance between the ethical and moral values and
enclave tourism should be managed with respect to economic and sustainability growth (Naidoo and
Pearce, 2018).
Moral issues can also take place when the visitors are unaware of the native environment with less
customer integration. Conflicts among the business parties will also result in unethical values. Moreover,
major services and products are imported from Saudi Arabia to meet the balance of supply with the
demand of the local residents as well of the tourist. This tourism can lower down the income level of
local society and employment sources are also low.
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Task 5
5.1 Compare the current issues associated with tourism development in developing country and
an emerging destination where impacts of tourism are different
Table 1: current issues face by Bhutan and Qatar
Issues Countries
Bhutan Qatar
Economic issues Bhutan is the developed country in
UN’s list. This country has fewer
industries so there are several issues
like poverty and unemployment. Its
economy is highly based on
livestock and agriculture
(Morakabati, 2013).
This country economic
fluctuation puts influences
highly due to lesser
opportunities of job and
generates revenue from the
tourism sector.
Social- cultural issues Also, tourism impacted due to
country social-cultural issues
including gang violence, drug
addiction, unemployment etc.
Globalization bought several
changes in habitat of culture
and life of Qatar and cultural
value differences lead in crime
rate which decreases tourism
popularity who are opting to
visit this country,
Environmental issues This country facing the
environmental issues whose main
reason is due to industrialization
and urbanization which lead in loss
of land degradation, climatic
change habitat and this is putting a
negative impact on tourism
mindset.
Qatar facing the main issues
related to an environment
which lowered tourism
popularity in a country that are
desertification change, water
scarcity, drought etc (Ray, and
Das, 2015).
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5.2 Evaluate, with recommendations, the future development of tourism in these chosen
destinations.
The current customer requirements and needs which are associated with the tourism sector is
needed to identify and studied so that it helps in reducing several issues which are related to
sustainable tourism development. To reduce the sustainable tourism development several issues
and conflicts in the countries like Bhutan and Qatar which recommended that both these
countries needed to implement and introduce different strategies and policies accordingly
(Baalousha and Ouda, 2017). The most common problems found among tourism is to resist the
tourism destination that leads in higher prices of a product that is offered by a tour operator, and
it is a result of the fluctuation in economic rate.
Government authorities of developing or developed countries are recommended mainly to focus
on several plans and policies which encourage tourism through offering affordable prices, tax
fewer rates etc. The strong link among the local community and different stakeholders is
enhanced with involving the third parties actively. Also, government emphasis on legislation
implementation along with the legal laws for avoiding an unethical does impact negatively on
natural and cultural resources of the countries (Hussain et.al 2018).
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Conclusion
As per from the above analysis, the report has highlighted stakeholders benefits in terms of developing
the planning in the tourism. This is clear from the above report that sustainability in tourism with
benefits of the stakeholders has come up with numerous beneficial aspects which support in increasing
the tourism popularity within a country. Also, the report has explained the partnership with
disadvantages and advantages as both private and public organization are being involved in tourism
development regarding sustainability. Numerous factors have also considered in the report at the
planning stage like economy, environment etc. The Enclave tourism with pros and cons has also
discussed in the report, and thus this is concluded that this is necessary for the developing country to
implement and plan tourism effectively.
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