destination reports: qatar: Qatar Rising
Qatar Rising
Among the fastest growing countries of the Gulf, Qatar’s latest headline grabbing development was the record order of 55 aeroplanes at the Dubai Airshow in November for its rapidly growing national airline, Qatar Airways. But the small Gulf state is no stranger to media attention, especially in 2011, the year that it won a bid for one of the biggest global events, FIFA World Cup 2022.
But with the window of a decade to prepare for world football and its faithful followers, Qatar has a vision that is both near and far sighted.
Of all the Gulf countries, the rise of Qatar has been the fastest. Wealth from the discovery of vast supplies of natural oil and gas reserves was only put into action in the late 1990s, which then enabled it to work quickly on a masterplan that drew upon the successes and setbacks experienced by its neighbours.
Development of top-tier hotels that rival any in the world is a staple of the region, but in Qatar, the core infrastructure is a leading airline, international airport, Education City, and sporting and convention facilities that are not only unique but able to accommodate the largest of gatherings.
Qatar is a pioneering and forward-thinking country, renowned in the world of international diplomacy. It is also known for free thinking and freedom of the press, home to the 24-hour news channel 'Al Jazeera' that has widened the country's reach to the English-speaking world sitting alongside CNN and the BBC (and its Doha Debates).
Conferences and discussions are an inherent part of Qatar's culture, reflected in the importance placed on the Sidra tree that provides shade in the hot desert, once providing refuge from the sun and enabling families, tribes and leaders to gather and discuss important matters of the day. The branches and sinews of the tree intertwine around the new Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) in symbolic recognition of this ancient practice.
Education, petro-chemical and diplomatic meetings are commonplace in Qatar and its new facilities will provide a greater capacity and impetus for large-scale events. The hospitality infrastructure is now advanced with 15,500 rooms available and a further 14,500 to be complete by 2013. After this time, Qatar will see hotel room numbers ascend by 5,000 every year through to 2022.
As development continues apace, the world looks towards the date when the planet's biggest single sporting event, the FIFA World Cup, will arrive on Qatar's shores. By that time (2022), over 90,000 rooms will have been built on the sands, as well as four additional stadiums, including the Lusail Iconic Stadium.
A major concern of the FIFA committee was that it gets as hot as 45°C in the summer, however Qatar is planning a covered stadium with an eco-friendly solar panel cooling system to enable fans to enjoy the matches in comfort.
But just as Asia wondered at the destination's ability to host its games in 2006 that went onto be the most successful in the event's history, as MotoGP fans wondered at a motor racing track in the desert that became a highlight of the sport's calendar (the opening event of the season), Qatar moves on from its successes, each of which simply mark yet a new beginning.
Nobody can dispute that vast wealth–Qatar has the third largest natural gas reserves with 15.3 per cent of world reserves–has enabled its development. However, ambitions have been tempered by looking regionally and internationally for inspiration and guidance that were adopted into a unique vision by the country's leaders.
Culture, education and sport are the pillars of both society and development. All three are abundant in the capital and have attractions that draw visitors from far and wide.
The Museum of Islamic Arts has also become a landmark and symbol of the destination as a whole, its distinctive form providing new shape to the coastline where it occupies a prominent spot on the corniche — the impressive coastal path that runs from the city through to West Bay.
The museum houses a magnificent collection of artwork spanning the 7th to the 19th century representing the complete scope of Islamic Art. The building itself is an architectural masterpiece, designed by Pritzker Prize laureate, I.M. Pei.
Other art and cultural attractions include Mathaf — the recently opened Museum of Modern Art, Qatar's annual Marine Festival, Doha Tribeca Film Festival (DTFF), and Katara, The Cultural Village.
Qatar is also the region's champion for sports. From cycling with the Tour of Qatar through to motorcycling with the MotoGP, as well as having international stars competing for accolades at a PGA Golf Championship that is part of the European Tour–the Qatar Masters at Doha Golf Club, an ATP tennis championship– The Qatar Open, and a range of football tournaments that included the hosting of the Asian Football Cup in 2011.
In terms of education, Qatar's Education City and the Qatar Foundation, provide an infrastructure and seat of learning that not only stands alone in the region, but also the world. Eight international universities have their campuses at Education City, including the Virginia Commonwealth University; Weill Cornell Medical College; Carnegie Mellon University; Georgetown University; and Northwestern University.
Also forming part of Education City, the Qatar Science and Technology Park boasts more than 21 world class companies involved in scientific research and development that also feed into the conference and convention infrastructure that the country has developed. QNCC is located just outside Education City.
