Sustainable Tourism Development: Qatar Case Study Report

This report provides a comprehensive overview of sustainable tourism development, focusing on the case of Qatar. It begins by examining the benefits for various stakeholders, including the government, local communities, and tourists, highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of public-private partnerships in the tourism sector. The report then delves into the features of tourism development planning at national, international, regional, and sub-regional levels, emphasizing the significance of interactive planning systems. It explores methods for measuring tourist impact and discusses the concept of sustainability in tourism development, identifying factors that may hinder it and outlining different stages in planning for sustainability. Furthermore, the report addresses methods for resolving conflicts of interest, implications of balancing supply and demand, and ethical issues of enclave tourism. Finally, it concludes with a discussion of current issues associated with tourism development in Qatar and offers recommendations for future development strategies, providing a well-rounded analysis of the topic.

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM
DEVELOPMENT

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Benefits of stakeholders from planning................................................................................1
1.2 Advantage and disadvantage of public private sector partnership........................................3
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................6
2.1 Features of tourism development planning...........................................................................6
2.2 Significance of interactive planning systems........................................................................7
2.3 Different methods available to measure tourist impact.........................................................8
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................9
3.1 Concept of sustainability in tourism development................................................................9
3.2 Factors that may prevent/hinder sustainable tourism development....................................10
3.3 Different stages in planning for sustainability....................................................................11
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................11
4.1 Methods of resolving a conflict of interests........................................................................11
4.2 Implications of balancing supply and demand....................................................................12
4.3 Moral and ethical issues of enclave tourism.......................................................................13
TASK 5..........................................................................................................................................14
5.1 Current issues associated with tourism development..........................................................14
5.2 Recommendation for development.....................................................................................15
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................15
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................16

INTRODUCTION
Tourism is the fastest growing sector that supports government economy significantly. It
is the industry that assist in generating revenues, enhancing employment opportunities in the
country (Chaperon and Bramwell, 2013). Present study is based on Qatar, It is situated at middle
east. Every year many tourist come to this location to watch sport events. There are many
attractive points that gain attention of mass audience. Current assignment will discuss benefits of
stakeholders from planning. It will describe features of tourism development planning.
Furthermore, report will explain concept of sustainability tourism development. It will explain
different stages in planning for sustainability. In addition, report will discuss methods to resolve
a conflict of interest in the nation. It will explain implication of balancing supply and demand.
TASK 1
1.1 Benefits of stakeholders from planning
Government gives full support to travel and tourism industry because it is the sector that helps
in rinsing foreign reserves in the nation (Font, 2016). There are various stakeholders of this
industry that gets benefit from the planning of tourism development. Qatar is the country which
focus on increasing tourism activities in the nation. For that it develops its attractive points and
organize many sports events so that many travellers come to this location from across the world.
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Benefits of stakeholders from planning are
describes as below:
Government
Government of Qatar is the main
stakeholder of tourism business. They largely
get affected from the activities of this industry.
If this sector is performing well then
government gets benefit of improving
economic condition but if travel industry gets
failed to perform well then it may negative
impact on employment rate, GDP etc (Jaafar,
Noor and Rasoolimanesh, 2015). Government
of Qatar has made several laws and flexible
visa policies so that many tourists can come to
this location and they can spend their money in
the country. This helps the government in
generating high revenues and improving
foreign reserves (Knollenberg and et.al, 2014).
Local community
It is another stakeholder of the tourism
industry, if travel sector is working well then it
will affect living of local population to great
extent. Increasing tourism activities create
consequences for the local people because of
over crowding and noise pollution. But this
also raise employment opportunities for them
and they get benefit of improving their living
standards (Mihalic, 2016). Money generated by
the travel firm is used by government in
Tourists
They are essential stakeholders and
they get benefits from the planning for tourism.
If there is proper planning then travellers will
get more attractive point and infrastructure
facilities. By this way they will be able to
enhance their knowledge about culture and
historical background of Qatar. There are many
people come to this location in order to get
more knowledge about its building and
architecture. They can get to know all these
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improving infrastructure facilities in the nation.
By this way living standards of the local
population gets improved.
details easily through effective planning for
tourism development (Nara, Mao and Yen,
2014).
1.2 Advantage and disadvantage of public private sector partnership
Each nation is highly depended upon development of tourism industry. This is the sector that
contributes well in the economic development of country (Page, 2014). It helps in generating
employment opportunities, development of infrastructure and improving condition of the
nation. There are many public and private firms those which work together in order to improve
tourism business of the region.
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 Advantages and disadvantages of this
partnership are discussed as below:
 Advantages
 This partnership is helpful in getting
adequate funds for the development.
Public organizations provides financial
resources to the private firms so that
these private entities can implement
effective strategy for the development
of the country (Stanford and Guiver,
2015).
 The main agenda of this partnership is
to improve life standards of the local
population. This partnership
continuously work for providing
effective infrastructure facilities to the
local public so that these people can
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improve their life (Terry, 2014).
 This partnership is beneficial for the
private organization because this
development supports in attracting
mass people towards Qatar and private
firms will be able to generate more
revenues by increasing tourism
activities (Westerberg, Jacobsen and
Lifran, 2013).
 This partnership is beneficial in
generating more employment
opportunities in the country which
helps in improving economic condition
of the nation to great extent (Wray,
2013).
 Public private partnership is helpful in
minimizing environment consequence
and can help in protecting atmosphere
and keeping it safe.
Disadvantage
 Public private partnership some times
create conflicts situation because
objective of public and private firms are
different from each others. Public firms
work for welfare of population whereas
private organization work for
generating high revenues. In such
condition conflict get created that
impacts on overall planning to great
extent (Tourism is Economic
Development, What Government
5

Leaders should know, 2007).
 In this partnership, public firms do not
monitor the progress in such condition
some times private entities compromise
with the quality (Mihalic, 2016).
 Improper communication create
problem in making effective plan due to
which overall objective may gets failed
to be accomplished.
 Cost of development can get increased
due to involvement of large members
(Jaafar, Noor and Rasoolimanesh,
2015).
 Some times risk is being ignored by
private firms which affects overall
success of the project of development
of tourism in the country.
 This partnership is long term contract
due to which development takes long
time (Page, 2014).
TASK 2
2.1 Features of tourism development planning
Tourism development planning impacts on the success of any country. Features of
planning at different levels in Qatar are described as below:
National level
Qatar has rich couture and every year government of the nation organizes many sport
events in the nation. National level authorities makes changes in legislation and make such laws
hat can help the government in attracting more people towards Qatar. Visitors always prefer to
go to such places where they can enjoy (Jaafar, Noor and Rasoolimanesh, 2015). For that
national level authorities develop infrastructure for the people so that they can enjoy here. It
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develops roads, rails line, airports so that interest of mass public can be developed towards the
country. National level authorities makes strategies through which rich culture of Qatar can be
spread to the other nations as well (Nara, Mao and Yen, 2014).
International level
There are many international agencies those which are continuously working for the
development of tourism industry. UNESCO, OECD etc. are international bodies which monitor
progress of this industry and make changes in its strategies so that tourism activities can be
encouraged. UNESCO works for sustainable development of the country. It allocates funds to
the national agencies so that national level people can work for the development of their
countries. They concentrate on developing transportation facilities in each region. This assist in
encouraging people to make plan for the travel (Westerberg, Jacobsen and Lifran, 2013).
Regional level
It is another level in which authorities try to develop infrastructure facilities and
hospitality services in the country. This helps in gaining attention of mass audience which
encourage tourism business of the nation. If there are adequate infrastructure and restaurants so
that visitors can feel happy whenever they come to this location (Wray, 2013).
Sub regional level
This level of authorities work for minimizing local level issues in the region and always
try to enhance positive impact of tourism planning on the country. This level of authorities
continuously work for raising performance of the location so that maximum number of tourism
can get attracted towards the location (Jaafar, Noor and Rasoolimanesh, 2015).
2.2 Significance of interactive planning systems
Interactive planning process is the most effective and systematic process that supports in
sustainable tourism development of the nation to great extent. Interactive planning is the process
in which concern authorities make plan for the development of tourism activities in the country.
Authorities identify needs of travellers an accordingly makes changes in the system so that
overall development of Qatar can be taken place. It improves tourism activities in the nation and
assist in growing economic of the nation. The main agenda of interactive planning is to enhance
growth opportunities for the country (Mihalic, 2016). In this interactive planning process concern
authorities involve all stakeholders in the planning process so that they can share their views and
can suggest innovative ideas for sustainable development of country. All stakeholders get benefit
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with the interactive planning and they will be able to accomplish their goal. Recently Qatar
government is planning to enhance tourism activities in the nation for that it will have to plan in
such manner so that more travellers take interest in the location and they come to this place.
There are many villages in Qatar concern authorities will have to develop these rural areas and
have to improve transportation facilities in the country (Stanford and Guiver, 2015). This will be
beneficial in the growth of the country. Significance of interactive planning process are described
as below:
 Interactive planning is systematic process that supports in making control over entire
budget and fund allocation. With the effective planning authorities can be able to allot
adequate funds in each activities. This will help in minimizing cost and developing
conditions of Qatar. By this way issue related to over budgeting will not take place in
sustainable tourism development in the country (Wray, 2013).
 Interactive planning process is beneficial in improving security and safety in the nation.
By this way more consumers will get attracted towards the location and criminal
activities of the country can get minimized to great extent.
 Interactive planning is beneficial for protecting environment and improving infrastructure
in the nation (Stanford and Guiver, 2015).
2.3 Different methods available to measure tourist impact
Tourism activities impact on overall condition of the country to great extent. It is
essential to measure impact of tourism activities so that authorities can ensure whether they are
working in the right direction or not. There are several methods of measuring this impact, these
are discussed as below:
Cambridge model
Cambridge is considered as most common tool that is used by concern authorities in
order to identify economic impact of tourism activities on the country (Knollenberg and et.al,
2014). In this model authorities prepare spreadsheet and they calculate overall spending of
visitors in the nation. This excel sheet support entities in identifying results of planning. If
number of spending is being increased that shows positive impact of tourism activities. This
model calculates average number of people those who come to the location in Qatar and total per
day spending of these people in the location. That assist in measuring effectiveness of planning
in term of economic improvement (Terry, 2014).
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STEAM model
STEAM model is another kind of measuring method which considered economic impact
of tourism activities on the nation. It takes into consideration to spending of visitors, debt of
travel business. All these elements help authorities in measuring impact of these activities on
economic condition of the country (Tourism is Economic Development, What Government
Leaders should know, 2007).
Environmental impact assessment model (EIA)
It is another kind of measuring tool that measures environmental impact of tourism
activities on business unit. Whenever more tourist come to the location then it affects natural
resources and environmental condition. If it affects positivity then it shows that planning is
worthwhile but if it is creating issue in the environment then authorities can make changes in
planning so that environment can be protected (Wray, 2013).
Pro poor tourism
It is another type of measuring tool that assist in measuring social impact of tourism
activities on the business unit. Sometimes increasing number of travellers create difficulty for the
local population in such condition they get failed to live their life easily. On other hand it
supports in increasing employment opportunities by this way local people get income sources
which improves their living standards (Nara, Mao and Yen, 2014). This impacts positively on the
country. Qatar can take support of this method in order to measure social impact of increasing
tourism activities.
TASK 3
3.1 Concept of sustainability in tourism development
Sustainable tourism development can be defined as positive impact of tourism activities
in economy, environment and social conditions of the nation. Each country aims to enhance
travel activities in the nation so that more visitors can come to the location and they spend more
money this can support in improving economic condition of the nation. Sustainable tourism
development always concentrate on improving life of local population (Jaafar, Noor and
Rasoolimanesh, 2015). It concentrates on developing infrastructure and increasing employment
opportunities in country. Government of Qatar is organizing sport events so that more visitors
come to this place and they spend more money in the nation. This can help in improving
economic condition of the nation. That money will be used by the concern authorities for the
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development of country. Sustainable development ensures reducing wastage and providing more
security to the travellers so that they feel happy in the region. Most of the visitors cancel to come
particular location because of safety issues but if there are adequate safety measures then they
can take more interests in coming to this location (Chaperon and Bramwell, 2013).
Sustainable tourism development is beneficial In raising employment opportunities in
country. By this way people of Qatar will be able to get adequate income sources which may
enhance their leave standards. It is also helpful in effective utilization of resources. Government
has made many laws to protect environment. By this way increasing tourism activities do not
harm to the nature environment. This helps in improving atmospheres and improving condition
of climate (Font, 2016). This enhances interest of mass audience and they can make plan to come
to this location.
3.2 Factors that may prevent/hinder sustainable tourism development
Sustainable tourism development gets affected by various factors. Some times these
elements create positive impact on development whereas sometime it affects tourism
development of nations. These factors are described as below:
Socio-economic element
It is most essential component that prevent/ hinder sustainable tourism development of
the Qatar. If social and economic condition of the nation is not good then government n will not
be able to spend money for improving infrastructure facilities in the country. If social
background of Qatar is not good then it will impact on overall success of tourism business on the
region (Nara, Mao and Yen, 2014).
Relation between guest and host nations
It is another most essential component that impacts on overall tourism development to
great extent. Qatar government always try to build strong relationship with other nations. For that
it organizes international sport events so that other government takes interest and support the
country. By this way foreign tourism take interest to come to this location (Mihalic, 2016). This
help in improving economic condition of the place and improving infrastructure facilities as well.
Inflation/ recession
It is another component which prevent or hinder tourism development of Qatar. If there is
inflation then government will have to enhance tax which may increase cost of travelling ion
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Qatar. By this way travellers will not take much interest to come to this place (Stanford and
Guiver, 2015).
3.3 Different stages in planning for sustainability
There are several phases that has to be followed by stakeholders while planning for
sustainability of nation. These described as below:
 Selection of stakeholders is first phase in which higher authorities have to select
stakeholders those who can get affected through sustainable planning. Their involvement
will help in getting innovative ideas so that planning can be done properly.
 Framing aim and objective is next stage in which objective of sustainable tourism
development need to be decided by the concern authorities (Nara, Mao and Yen, 2014).
 Conducting research is next part in which research is being done about other countries
and their tourism activities. Furthermore, investigation done in order to identify needs of
travellers.
 Resource analysis is next stage in which authorities have to analysis available resources
and have to allocate resources properly (Terry, 2014).
 Formulation of plan is next phase in which all stakeholders formulate plan by sharing
their views. This plan ensures development of tourism activities in country.
 Effective implementation and monitoring is the last stage in which concern persons
monitor progress and ensure that this plan can give positive results to Qatar (Stanford and
Guiver, 2015).
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TASK 4
4.1 Methods of resolving a conflict of interests
There are several methods that can
support in resolving conflict situation in the
country. These are explained as below:
Stakeholder engagement
It is one of the best method in which all
stakeholders coordinate with each other
properly. They share their interest ion the
tourism development planning and how they
can get benefit from this planning (Jaafar,
Noor and Rasoolimanesh, 2015). This supports
in minimizing issues and make effective
planning that can fulfil needs of all
stakeholders. If there is high engagement of
stakeholders then it will be beneficial in
development of nation. By this way more
visitors will take interest in coming to Qatar
(Westerberg, Jacobsen and Lifran, 2013).
Strong relationship with guest countries
It is type of method in which
government of host country that is Qatar can
develop strong relationship with other guest
countries. This will help in enhancing trust of
foreign travellers. This will spread cultural
values of the place to other nations. This can
encourage visitors to come to this location
thus, conflict can get minimized soon (Terry,
2014).
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4.2 Implications of balancing supply and demand
Demand is the desires of consumers regarding
products and services. On other hand supply
can be defined as services provided by
company to the consumers. It is very essential
for the Qatar that to make balance between
demand and supply in order to enhance visitor
attraction in the nation (Knollenberg and et.al,
2014).
Implement ion of this balancing are described
as below:
 Balancing in demand and supply allows
government in effective utilization of
resources. By this way wastage of
natural resources can be minimized to
great extent. It helps in preventing
natural resources and improving
environmental condition (Font, 2016).
 Balancing in demand and supply
support in improving job opportunities
sand improving living standards of
local people.
 This assist in improving economy
condition of the nation. By this way
development in infrastructure,
transportations etc. can be taken place
(Stanford and Guiver, 2015).
4.3 Moral and ethical issues of enclave tourism
Enclave tourism is the type of tourism in which
visitors are allowed to get amazing travel
experience in guest country. It considered
development of particular geographical area of
the country which can attract mass audience
towards location (Font, 2016). Government
develops particular area where visitors can get
amazing experience and can feel happy. In this
Moral and ethical issues in enclave tourism
are as below explained:
 It mainly concentrates on foreign
travellers. Due to which local
population get ignored by government.
When international travellers come to
the location then it creates problem in
communication which sometimes hurt
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type of tourism government of the nation
concentrates on developing healthy
relationship with guest nations.
particular culture (Stanford and Guiver,
2015).
 Enclave tourism pays attention of
improving economic condition of
nation. But due to increasing travel
activities crowd get increased which
creates issue for local people. Issues
related to overcrowding, air pollution,
noise pollution take place (Jaafar, Noor
and Rasoolimanesh, 2015).
TASK 5
5.1 Current issues associated with tourism development
Bhutan is developing country and Qatar is emerging nation. Issues associated with these
regions are as below described:
Current issues Bhutan Qatar
Environmental issue Bhutan is developing nation
but roads of this location are
narrow. There are poor
transportation facilities. When
mass people come to this
location them issue of
overcrowding take place in
Bhutan which impacts
negative on environment
conditions (Terry, 2014).
It is emerging nation where
government is more concern
towards environment thus, it
always tries to protect natural
resources (Tourism is
Economic Development, What
Government Leaders should
know, 2007).
14

Economic issue Local population of Bhutan
has limited job opportunities.
But travellers can easily
exchange their money because
exchange money norms are
simple (Terry, 2014).
Qatar is the location where
people have adequate income
sources. But terrorist activities
impacts value of currency of
the nation.
Socio cultural issues Crime rate in Bhutan is quite
high.
Government is more concern
about spreading culture of the
nation to other countries. Thus,
it gives training to local people
so that they can communicate
well with international visitors.
(Jaafar, Noor and
Rasoolimanesh, 2015)
5.2 Recommendation for development
In order to minimize these issues in these countries' government of nations need to take
support of effective strategies. Recommendations for the same are described as below:
 Government of both these regions have to develop infrastructure, transportation facilities
in nations. This will enhance interest of travellers and will generate more employment
opportunities for local people.
 Government of Bhutan and Qatar have to make changes in security laws so that issue
related to terrorism can be minimized and trust with respect to security can be developed
among international visitors.
CONCLUSION
From the above report it can be concluded that sustainable tourism development plays
significant role in development of country. This helps in raising employment opportunities for
the local people and help in improving economic condition of the nation. There are several
ethical issues face by the authorities that can be resolved by stakeholder engagement. Effective
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legislation and proper monitoring can help in improving condition of the Qatar. By this way
tourism activities can be improved in the region.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Chaperon, S. and Bramwell, B., 2013. Dependency and agency in peripheral tourism
development. Annals of tourism research. 40. pp.132-154.
Font, X., 2016. What meaning for sustainability? Creating tourism impacts in a slippery policy
context. Journal of Policy Research in Tourism, Leisure and Events. pp.1-7.
Jaafar, M., Noor, S. M. and Rasoolimanesh, S. M., 2015. Perception of young local residents
toward sustainable conservation programmes: A case study of the Lenggong World
Cultural Heritage Site. Tourism Management. 48. pp.154-163.
Knollenberg, W. and et.al., 2014. Motivation-based transformative learning and potential
volunteer tourists: Facilitating more sustainable outcomes. Journal of Sustainable Tourism.
22(6). pp.922-941.
Mihalic, T., 2016. Sustainable-responsible tourism discourse–Towards
‘responsustable’tourism. Journal of Cleaner Production. 111. pp.461-470.
Nara, P., Mao, G. and Yen, T., 2014. Applying environmental management policy for sustainable
development of coastal tourism in Thailand.International Journal of Environmental
Protection and Policy. 1. pp.19-23.
Page, S. J., 2014. Tourism management. Routledge.
Stanford, D. and Guiver, J. W., 2015. Process and partnership: factors of success for sustainable
visitor transport projects in protected areas. Journal of Sustainable tourism.
Terry, W., 2014. Solving labor problems and building capacity in sustainable agriculture through
volunteer tourism. Annals of Tourism Research. 49. pp.94-107.
Westerberg, V., Jacobsen, J. B. and Lifran, R., 2013. The case for offshore wind farms, artificial
reefs and sustainable tourism in the French Mediterranean. Tourism Management. 34.
pp.172-183.
Wray, M., 2013. Protected areas and sustainable tourism planning: The case of Eurobodalla
shire, Australia. CAUTHE 2013: Tourism and Global Change: On the Edge of Something
Big. pp.945.
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