Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) has launched the first phase of an electronic licensing (e-licensing) system that will enable establishments regulated by QTA to apply for a licence, renew an existing licence, and complete a number of other procedural transactions within 24 hours.
The first phase of the Tourism Licensing e-Services system will be available for use by hotel establishments, while the second phase, which is expected to be rolled out later this year, will be available to other tourist establishments and exhibition organisers.
The system can be accessed through the QTA website, www.visitqatar.qa. By signing in with their Hukoomi log-in, hotel establishments can now conveniently complete procedures required to issue, amend, renew or cancel a tourism licence.
Hotel establishments can also request official letters from QTA which are required for them to seek approvals from other government entities, such as the approval required form the Ministry of Interior for them to process tourist visa applications.
In addition, establishments can upload their profile, room rate, and marketing plan, all of which are submitted to QTA on a routine basis to enable the authority to monitor the sector’s standards.
Hassan Al Ibrahim, Chief Tourism Development Officer, said, “The e-licensing system has been developed based on feedback from stakeholders in the tourism industry, whom QTA engaged to identify the best licensing solutions that would encourage investment in tourism, meet the needs of tourism establishments and relieve them of bureaucratic burdens. The new system will also support us in our efforts to monitor the sector and ensure it operates at the highest standards.”
Al Ibrahim added that the e-licensing system will be integrated with the hotel grading and classification system, which was launched in January 2016 to strengthen and maintain Qatar’s well-deserved reputation for excellence in hospitality through closer grading and inspection.
Saleh bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Managing Director of Qatar Chamber, said, “The new e-licensing system is the culmination of the close collaboration between Qatar Chamber and QTA, and is bound to ease the process of licensing various tourism establishments in support of QTA’s efforts to develop the industry with the participation of the private sector.”
He added, “Qatar Chamber has made it a priority to support the government’s efforts to boost tourism by encouraging private sector investment. We are approaching a period of increased growth in tourism, particularly with the 2022 FIFA World Cup on the horizon. It is important that we plan for the years beyond the World Cup, to ensure we leverage this global event in reinforcing Qatar’s position as a tourism hub.”
The Peninsula Qatar
12 June
