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| | Tourism to contribute $1.1bn to Qatar economy in 2012: WTTC | | DOHA THE direct contribution of travel and tourism to Qatar's GDP is expected to reach $1.1 billion in 2012, compared to $800 million in 2009, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council.
Qatar has embarked on an aggressive infrastructure spending programme as it prepares to host the 2022 World Cup, and for life beyond.
"The economic conditions are excellent. We see Qatar as a crucial addition to our GCC portfolio and look forward to our core brand Radisson Blu making its entry in the market in 2012. The country has certainly become a key hotel investment destination," commented Kurt Ritter, president and CEO, the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group.
He was speaking in the context of the oncoming annual Arabian Hotel Investment Conference 2012 (AHIC) slated to take place in Dubai between April 28-30 at Madinat Jumeirah to discuss investment opportunities in a region where governments are ploughing billions of dollars into tourism infrastructure.
Top industry executives and officials will head to Dubai to take part in the conference.
Over the next five years, Qatar will invest around $65 billion in new transportation schemes.... |
| | Qatar moves up in UN global e-services ranking | | DOHA QATAR has moved up the ladder in the global ranking in e-government and e-services.
A recent e-Government Survey released by the United Nations (UN) has raised Qatar's position to number 27 in the global ranking of e-government services, a significant improvement from its previous ranking of 90 in 2010.
The Survey also placed Qatar at number nine in the e- Participation index for 2012.
Assistant Secretary- General of ictQATAR Hassan al Sayed said, "The rise in the rankings demonstrates Qatar's prioritisation of making our government more responsive and transparent for those its serves through an integrated e-Government strategy. We are delighted with the progress we are making, but we are just at the beginning. We intend to further our progress and work towards making Qatar's egovernment a world leader in accessibility and user friendliness." Hukoomi, the Qatari government's portal, was commended in the report for undertaking citizen-centred services, which reflected in the raising of Qatar's global rankings. Hukoomi was highlighted as a case study in the survey for excellence in integration of e-services across government agencies and functions. The online services include visa applications, payment for utilities, settlement of traffic violations and renewal of health cards, among others.
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| | Qatari artist's works talk to viewers in 'street language' | | DOHA EXCLUSIVE paintings of Qatari artist Faraj Daham were on display as part of an exhibition titled 'street language' at Katara on Thursday.
The main objective of the exhibition, according to Daham, is to spread the message of painting to the 'people on the streets'.
"I decided to start highlighting this subject in 2006. It is necessary for intelligent people to understand artworks of painters and their interpretation of daily life in the streets, and transform it into painting. I tried to study this issue at various levels — artistically, theoretically, observing it on the ground, and then collecting ideas and opinions. The paintings at the exhibition showcase 'a point of contact' with the people," Daham said.
The painter also conducted a group discussion session where he spoke about his "journey into the world of painting".
"I tried to highlight the visual effects and introduce a dialogue between a painter and an onlooker through my work.
It is not easy. It actually requires a twoway understanding for a painter to work towards his own agenda and simultaneously keep the interests of the people in mind," Daham added.
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