Tourism must be compatible with values,traditions of Qatar: Shura Council report

Call to support private sector initiatives in establishing tourism projects

NT Bureau

Doha: The tourism industry which Qatar tries to promote must be compatible with the values, customs and traditions of the Qatari society, derived from the Islamic law, the Shura Council has suggested in a proposal being submitted to the government.

The proposal also called for supporting private sector initiatives in establishing tourism projects, to encourage domestic tourism, and to provide the necessary support to Qatar Tourism, with the aim of building sustainable tourism, as well as to create a mechanism for the visa system according to easy and quick procedures, and develop entry procedures through land, air and sea ports, to be more flexible.

The proposal also stressed the need for Qatar Tourism to improve the investment environment for the tourism sector, pointing out the importance of pre-preparing and promoting programs for annual tourism events, in accordance with the religious values as well as the customs and traditions of the Qatari society.

At its weekly session held on Monday, the Shura Council reviewed a report of its Financial and Economic Affairs Committee on the request for general discussion submitted by several members in regard to developing the tourism economy and studying possible solutions that lead to its development and advancement.

In the context of discussing the report, HE Speaker of the Council Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim pointed out that tourism has become a self-contained industry, as it constitutes a complex economy in which the public and private sectors interact to create an integrated tourism experience.

His Excellency highlighted the country’s keenness to advance the tourism sector and support it with the aim of diversifying sources of national income, pointing out – in the same context, the role of the Shura Council in supporting the country’s efforts to advance this important sector.

His Excellency stressed the tourism industry must be a sustainable industry that does not end with the end of the activities during specific periods, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030 and its third pillar of economic development.

After extensive discussions of the report’s outcome, and the exchange of views and opinions in its regard, the council decided to submit the proposal to the esteemed Cabinet on the aforementioned topic.