Growing construction activities to drive catering sector

DOHA: Qatar catering services market is expected to grow at a positive compound annual growth rate (CAGR) during 2018-2022, said a report on Qatar Catering Services. The growth will be driven mainly by the rise in construction activities as major infrastructure projects get implemented under the Qatar Vision 2030, according to Qatar Catering Services Market Outlook report by Ken Research.

“The tourism sector is expected to reach $7.2bn by 2025 with a target to receiving 4 million visitors by 2020. This will be supported by investment under National Tourism Sector Strategy 2030. This will further create opportunities for catering services in hotels and hospitality sector,” noted the report.

The Qatar catering services has grown during 2011-2017 at a single digit CAGR. This growth was driven by the industrial and event catering sector which are the largest end users of catering services contributing almost one-fourth of the overall revenue share in 2017. The government of Qatar has initiated major infrastructure reforms under Qatar National Vision 2030 in various sectors of the economy such as transport network, education, healthcare, hotels and others which further created opportunities for catering services market as the number of labour camps increased. The education and healthcare sector together contributed remaining share in the revenue share of catering services market in 2017.

The industrial sector has accounted for the major revenue share in Qatar Catering services market 2017. Construction activities have majorly been driven with the implementation of government programs such as National Vision (QNV) 2030 and Qatar Rail Development Program (QRDP). The event sector has accounted for the second largest share in Qatar Catering Services in 2017. The hospitality sector has seen infrastructure development as Qatar prepares to host World Cup 2022 which has augmented the market for catering services.

The catering services market in Qatar has been driven by infrastructure development which has led to increase in construction activities which in turn require catering services for labour camps. The government has allotted massive investment for infrastructure, transport, hotels and stadia as it prepares to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Qatar saw more than 12 million visitors in 2016 during Eid celebration events and the Qatar Summer Festival. QTA’s collaboration with the Ministry of Interior and Qatar Airways has further facilitated visitors’ entry to Qatar. With development of the Qatar hospitality sector, catering services requirement increased in hotels. Qatar has seen rising number of health conscious people looking for light and nutritious food. Due to the changing preferences, many catering services have restructured their production process. The catering services sector has seen growing demand from high income consumers who prefer more expensive premium products. This has made the catering companies to revise their menus to include more variety food items from different cuisines.

Qatar has over 100 catering service providers. The major players in the industry are Shaqab, Newrest Gulf Catering, Qatar Aircraft Catering Company and IFS Qatar. This market has seen a rise in competition which is being driven by growing demand and increasing use of technology and innovation. Since major clients hire on contractual basis, these players compete to achieve contracts for longer duration to ensure regular orders and increase profits.

They offer different menus and customisation services tailored for different end users. Furthermore, they indulge in various marketing activities to build their brand equity and reliability. Some of the activities include email marketing personalized for specific customers, brochures, pamphlets and fliers distributed at corporate offices, schools and hospitals and organising tastings and open houses.

وأضافت الصحيفة في تقرير لها أن قطر قامت ببناء تسعة استادات جديدة لكرة القدم وترميم ثلاثة ملاعب أخرى، كما تقوم الدوحة بإنشاء شبكة سكك حديدية ذات 95 محطة.

وذكر التقرير: «انظر حولك وستشاهد الكثير من المباني غير العادية، ودوامة بناء، وأماكن لتناول القهوة اللذيذة والشوكولاتة، والمحلات التجارية لشراء العود المصنوع بدقة».

وأضاف التقرير أن الطريقة المثلى للاستمتاع بالدوحة الأنيقة هي قضاء فترة ما بعد الظهيرة أو المساء بالتجول في الأسواق التراثية وشرب القهوة وتناول الطعام، مشيراً إلى أن سوق واقف هو نفسه جزء أنيق من الدوحة؛ إذ يمكن للمتسوقين اقتناء مجموعة غير معتادة من السلع، على الرغم من أنها ليست كلها بالضرورة مصنوعة في قطر.

وتابع بالقول: «كما تفتخر الدوحة بجزيرتها الاصطناعية الراقية؛ فاللؤلؤة هي جزيرة مرجانية من المنازل الفاخرة والقنوات على طراز مدينة البندقية. وهناك منطقة أخرى على طول الكورنيش، تسمى كتارا، وهي مركز ثقافي جذاب وبها صالات العرض والمقاهي والمدرج والشاطئ».

ويمضي الموقع للقول: «إن هذه المواقع الأنيقة ما هي إلا جزء بسيط مما يمكن مشاهدته في الدوحة، فبمجرد الخروج من مطارها المتلألئ، الذي يحتوي على قطار داخلي، يمكن مشاهدة مجموعة لا حصر لها من الأبراج اللامعة من 30 طابقاً أو أكثر».

وأشار التقرير إلى أن أبراج الدوحة، ومعظمها في منطقة الخليج الغربي بالمدينة، هي في بعض الحالات فنادق فخمة أو مساكن للسكان المغتربين في المدينة. والبعض الآخر وزارات حكومية.

ولفت إلى أن العديد من هذه الأبراج العملاقة مزينة الآن بصور الشيخ تميم أمير قطر، والتي أصبحت ميزة مدنية جديدة نسبياً، وانتشرت بشكل كبير منذ أن واجهت قطر بعض الصعوبات مع جيرانها في الخليج كالسعودية والإمارات العربية المتحدة والبحرين.;