Doha -  Al-Watan Newspaper


Journies Travel and Tourism, one of the Qatari companies operating in the field of providing travel and tourism services in the State of Qatar, obtained the Quality Performance Certificate (ISO 9001 - 2015) from (Independent Management and Quality Services), which is in-charge of granting the international quality certificate, and received the certificate on behalf of the company, Mr Lijo Joy, Manager of Reservations Department.

Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, Engineer Jassim Mohammed Al-Shirawi, confirmed that the company has taken upon itself, since its establishment, the responsibility of applying the highest quality standards and providing the best solutions and services within the highest international standards and best practices, in addition to its continuous keenness to improve the performance and level of services it provides to its customers.

He added: “We congratulate our team on this achievement, which confirms the quality and efficiency of performance achieved by all the company’s employees, and it is considered a tribute to their efforts made over the past years, through which the company was able to establish itself as one of the most active travel and tourism companies, and it occupies a prestigious position and at the forefront of companies.” The leader operating in the travel and tourism industry in the State of Qatar, due to its continuous development in its services, and its provision of new services and innovative ways that keep pace with the development of the global tourism sector in order to provide our customers with benefit, benefits, and better services.”

It is noteworthy that Journies Travel and Tourism is one of the companies of Al Shirawi Group, and its founding dates back to 2010. It is also a member of the International Air Transport Organization (IATA), which opened vast horizons for cooperation with major air transport companies around the world, hotels, tourist resorts and tour operators. It has more than a decade of practical experience, which has made it one of the trusted tourism companies for its services, activities, and the various services it provides. 

The company provides various travel and tourism services to all companies, government and private agencies and individuals in the State of Qatar, and it works with an elite group of multilingual travel consultants, who have long experience in the field of travel and tourism and organizing all types of tourist trips, in addition to their close relationships and distinguished regional and global communications network that enables them by meeting the requirements of various dear customers and designing distinguished tourism programs throughout the year.

Al-Shirawi: Enhancing the performance of service sectors and supporting business

 The businessman and financial expert, Mr. Mohammed Sharif Hamad Al Shirawi, confirmed that the state’s general budget approved by His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani meets the requirements of the national economy and the citizen, as it reflects His Highness’s concern for the citizen and for everyone who lives on this good land. This is reflected in the budget and the allocations it allocates to develop and expand the capabilities and capabilities of the health, education, infrastructure and business sectors, which confirms the continuation of the wise government in its plans related to building people, implementing its comprehensive development strategy, and enhancing the performance of the country’s service sectors in a way that reflects positively on the citizen and resident and their lives in general.

Al-Shirawi added: The allocated budget confirms the keenness of our wise leadership to complete major projects through continued government spending that supports plans to implement major projects to achieve Qatar National Vision 2030, and the allocations that have been allocated for new projects that serve various sectors, in addition to following up on the implementation of government projects. The main ones under development, and those related to the 2022 World Cup projects, which support the activities and role of the private sector, to which the government has opened the way to contribute to the development of its projects, which ensure the continuity of the wheel of economic business.

Source: Lusail newspaper

 There has been a lot of talk recently about shale gas and the countries and companies that are moving towards exploring for it. The opinions of those working in the energy sector, analysts and experts in this sector differed about its negative effects on the environment and its impact on the prices of traditional gas, if extracted, and the expectations of a decline in demand for traditional energy means and a decrease in the returns on investments of countries and companies in them, and the impact of this on countries producing and exporting traditional energy means.

Al-Sharq met with Mr. Mohammad Hamad Al-Shirawi. Finance Director and former financial expert at Qatar Petroleum. He is an expert in the field of oil and gas. To get his point of view on the different opinions on this topic... here is the text of the dialogue:

* There has been a lot of talk recently about shale gas. How do you see this issue?

- Shale gas (or shale gas) is a natural gas that is formed in rocks as a result of heat and pressure and remains trapped within the voids of these solid rocks, which do not allow it to escape as it is present in the ground. The importance of shale gas and shale oil goes back to the beginning of the current century, when America conducted studies and research. Intensive to achieve an advanced technology capable of controlling and highly efficient, in extracting shale gas, which is present in reasonable quantities in America (and also in 33 countries currently) at depth levels of two thousand meters and can reach three thousand meters in some countries, from the components of rock layers. This technology is called “Fracking”, which focuses on crushing rocks in the ground by applying pressure with huge amounts of water, chemicals, and sand to create pores and voids that allow gas to flow and requires large amounts of water. Horizontal drilling technology is used underground and reaches great distances in order to reach those rocks hydraulically. (Hydraulic Fracturing) and in safe ways.

It is strange that shale gas fields are characterized by a rapid decline in their production rates in the early periods, that is, during the first years of the start of initial production, reaching approximately 60% of the highest level of production, and then continuing to decline to gradually reach the same level in the years of the start of production. It continues at the production level it has reached for a long period depending on the behavior of the reservoir.

Shale gas has become one of the important sources of energy in the world. Statistics show that America produced about 0.3 trillion cubic feet of American gas production in 1996, and it rose during the last five years to 4.87 trillion cubic feet, or 23% of the total American market consumption. It has several fields spread across several states, and its shale gas reservoirs are located in Texas and Louisiana. Arkansas and producing fields in Louisiana, Marselor, Pennsylvania and other areas.

US stock

Experts and workers in the field of exploration, technicians, and economists estimate that the volume of extractable shale gas reserves in America is 60.6 trillion cubic feet, or 6.9% of the rock reserve. This means, in my belief, that America is capable of extracting this quantity over a period of no less than the next 14 years, and approximately the same thing. It applies to shale oil as well. This quantity is currently considered modest compared to America's annual consumption rate, which is estimated at 7.5 billion cubic feet. However, experts expect that new exploration and drilling operations may yield other quantities and new data that will change the picture partially or completely. There may also be new statistics that have not been published or finalized yet.

From the available information, this type of gas is characterized by the high cost of its production, but it was possible to develop it due to high oil prices and gained great attention from the government in America for strategic reasons, as the American President stated in one of the conferences in front of a group of American businessmen that this gas will allow them Freedom to discuss and discuss with officials in the Middle East and negotiate with them in more serious ways and methods.

There are several reports issued recently, the most important of which in this regard is a report by the International Energy Agency in which it indicated that the United States of America will overtake Saudi Arabia and Russia to become the largest oil producer in the world, and perhaps during the period from 2015 to 2018 it will come close to achieving self-sufficiency in energy and reducing its dependence. On OPEC supplies. This means that producing and exporting countries will reconsider their oil policies, especially the gas and oil marketing policy and the policy of choosing appropriate markets and future markets that should be focused on.

New technology

* What is the impact of the use of shale gas on America?

We all know that the United States of America has suffered greatly from its economic and financial problems, and shale gas and shale oil are considered a lifeline for many of its problems. After many years of studies and research, America successfully developed a new technology that it used in the Panet field in northern Texas, which contributed to reducing the cost of drilling some gas wells. Shale in the states of Arkansas and Louisiana led to important changes in the course of international gas trade in the next decade. Its impact is noticeable, in the field of industry, new factories will be established, for example, but not limited to. The establishment of the Duracium fertilizer industry, which was linked to a plan to establish a nitrogen fertilizer factory in the southwest of Iowa to supply corn farms with chemical fertilizer. There is also a plan to establish a petrochemical factory in the northwest of Pressburg at a cost of two billion US dollars using shale gas. In addition to other factories within its future plan. This is in addition to oil and non-oil projects that were stopped due to their lack of economic feasibility in the past. They were restarted after their economic feasibility was modified. I do not believe that there are countries that can compete with the United States in the way it exploits either shale gas or shale oil because of its current monopoly on the technology used in this field.

Strategic changes

* Are there negative impacts on the conventional gas industry in the Middle East, especially the Arabian Gulf, due to shale gas?

In my humble personal belief, there will be many major strategic changes in these regions in the medium and long term. Especially if we evaluate what the African Bank published in its report on shale gas reserves in 7 African countries, which states that the largest proven reserves of shale gas are in the Republic of South Africa and were estimated at more than 13 trillion cubic meters, followed by Libya with 8 trillion cubic meters, and then Algeria, whose reserves were estimated at about 6.5 trillion cubic meters. This will help increase the economic return for extracting shale gas and thus will revive the gas market and these countries will benefit from it, especially since most of these countries are suffering economically and financially and have various political and social problems. The African Bank also revealed that Morocco, Tunisia and Mauritania are among the countries that have significant quantities of shale gas and are therefore considered important countries. However, all of these countries will need technical, technical and financial assistance to extract these quantities.

On the other hand, there are countries such as Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Ukraine that have responded to the indicators of change and cooperated with the winds of change and began their positive steps. I expect that the shale gas and shale oil markets will go through two stages before 2022, as we will witness an increase in production of light shale oil and shale gas. As a result of this increase, countries like the United States of America will become less dependent on Middle Eastern oil and gas for many years, at least ten years. The second stage, after 2022, will be a large abundance of oil and gas and a gradual decline in production in America, with prices gradually rising later in the Middle East and Gulf countries.

Effects on prices

As a result of these indicators, I expect that there will be direct and indirect negative impacts on some countries. As well as direct and indirect positive effects on others. And on prices in the global market, as they will witness some fluctuations, and on markets and quantities exported and imported, and on the nature of contracts and their current and future terms and conditions, and on investments in the field of energy, especially energy based on conventional oil and gas, and on maritime security, oil tanker companies, and insurance companies that insure oil tankers and oil operations. And natural gas and shale projects and on the waterways and seas protected by the American fleets and aircraft carriers currently present to protect the interests of the United States of America in these areas. Of course, it may have a negative impact on some projects and the strategic plans of some countries, and I believe that America will probably reduce its foreign budgets in the field of defense and military power.

Intense competition

With regard to the Middle East and the Arabian Gulf, and in general, perhaps important strategic changes will occur in this region during the next decade, especially the competition that will be intense in the energy sector worldwide, and the extraction of shale gas may lead to a decline in traditional gas prices in the long term against the backdrop of increased supply and decreased demand. In other words, we may be on the verge of a structural change in the trade of oil, gas and petrochemicals, and although estimates of proven reserves of shale gas change rapidly depending on discoveries, the latest estimates announced by the US Energy Information Administration recently estimated shale gas in 33 countries at about 6.622 trillion cubic feet. . Reports say that statistics are estimated at approximately 7,000 trillion cubic feet. But we must know that changes in the level of general energy consumption by the United States of America and by China and India as major consumers and increased consumption in the Middle East. Which means that energy will be redistributed and consumed in a different way than is currently the case.

Some countries have turned to production

These data indicate the possibility of transforming some countries importing gas or shale oil into producing countries. There will also be negative impacts on the petrochemical and chemical fertilizer industry, which uses conventional gas as a result of competing countries using shale gas, which will create intense competition between producers and lead to lower prices. Perhaps countries that were previously displaced by oil companies will return to resume exploration operations and oil companies will return to them again as a result of the availability of previous information on the existence of shale gas or oil.

Al Sharq newspaper

Mr. Mohammad Hamad Al-Shirawi, a financial analyst and economic expert, confirmed that Qatar has national cadres and people with great experience in managing the wheel of the country’s economy, and they are certainly studying the effects of the decline in oil prices on economic performance to take the necessary precautions and measures so that the plans and projects under construction or those that will be completed within are not affected. The next few years.

He added: More focus must be placed on the private sector because it is in dire need of restructuring and new strategies, policies, procedures and investments. Al-Shirawi, in the second part of his interview with “Bawabat Al-Sharq”, suggested appointing a Minister of Tourism because this sector is very important due to the tourism wealth that the country enjoys and called for the establishment of a company. For Tourism Investment and offering its shares to investors, the following is the text of the dialogue:

* How do you see Qatar dealing with the effects of the decline in oil prices?

As for the State of Qatar, I confirm that the State has educated national cadres with great experience in managing the wheel of the economy in the State. They are certainly studying the decline in oil prices on a regular basis and know with certainty that the next stage will be difficult for all countries and that the State of Qatar is like the Gulf countries. The other will face the challenges of declining oil prices, which will lead to great concern, and the state must take sound financial, economic, and political measures during 2015 and the coming years to overcome any problems that may occur due to oil and gas variables, regardless of what level oil and gas revenues reached in the past years, and not to underestimate the current situation, taking into account Keeping in mind that these measures will not be reflected in all the plans and projects under construction or that will be completed during the next few years, and that the state must implement its development programs to the fullest extent. The state has made great achievements over the past years, but in my personal belief, they are insufficient and more focus should be placed on the private sector because This sector is in dire need of restructuring and new strategies, policies, procedures and investments.

Appointment of a Minister of Tourism

This requires reconsidering some of the policies, procedures, and legal regulations in force in the country, and I personally believe that the time has come to appoint a Minister of Tourism because this sector is very important due to the tourism wealth that the country enjoys, and I believe it should receive more attention from the state and its presidency by the Council of Ministers.

In this regard, I propose establishing a tourism investment company and offering its shares to investors, for example, hotels, travel and tourism offices, and individuals, in addition to the state retaining the basic share and giving this company the authority to enter into tourism projects and develop and create tourist and health resorts, summer resorts, and entertainment cities, so that this sector will be a good source of income for the state and the sector. Private and individuals...

It is important to diversify sources of income and diversify the country's economies... Of course, there are many ideas and opinions that can be studied and there is not enough space to mention them in this interview.

Effects of falling oil prices

* What is the impact of this decline on the general balance of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and on the domestic product of those countries?

The countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council, in which oil and its derivatives constitute the largest share of their revenues and income, set conservative selling prices for the price of a barrel of oil when preparing their budgets, taking into account the potential risks of any decline in prices, which enables them to avoid any sharp fluctuations in the price of a barrel of oil, which keeps their revenues at far-safe levels. About price fluctuations and any potential deficit in its domestic product, but the cost of production is much lower than these announced numbers.
In past years, the price used by these countries for a barrel of oil in their budgets ranged between $65 and $70 per barrel. In contrast, a barrel of oil was sold at prices higher than $100 per barrel.

With this sharp decline currently occurring, these countries will not witness a direct negative impact on the gross domestic product or the general budget in the short and perhaps the medium term, as they have benefited from the rise in margins on the selling prices of a barrel of oil in the past period...

The Gulf Cooperation Council countries are also distinguished by the lower cost of extracting oil than the cost in other countries around the world. In addition, the huge investments directed to this sector have returned returns to the governments of those countries over the past years, which means that they have restored the value of those investments, whether completely or significantly. If we assume the continued decline in the price of a barrel of oil to new minimum levels, this will not affect the continuity of production. The scope of profitability of these fields in the short and medium term.

But it may cast a shadow on expansion plans and the volume of new investments in this sector... in addition to other sectors and the expansionary spending policy, especially capital spending and infrastructure and its support... Therefore, I believe it is necessary to turn to intensive programs for financial reform and reconsider its policies, especially in the field of spending.
Economic diversification is essential

* One of the reports issued by QNB Bank indicated an increase in the proportion of non-oil sectors in the country, which contributed to stimulating economic growth to 50.7% of GDP during the third quarter of 2014... What does this mean? Will non-oil sectors have a role in filling the size of the decline in overall income resulting from the decline in oil revenues in 2015?

The content of the report is based on official statistics from the Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics, which were prepared and estimated based on the volume of huge investments allocated and spent by the state in various projects in general, especially in infrastructure, whether in road and tunnel projects, the new airport, the new Doha Port, and other urban projects that were implemented. It is currently still under construction.

The report also indicated the growth of the non-oil sector and the decline in the growth of the oil and gas sector by 2.8% annually due to the decrease in oil production resulting from maintenance and restructuring of some fields. It also indicates the growth and continuity of the gross domestic product and the increase in the process of economic diversification in the country. The report touched on the levels of growth in Various sectors in Qatar..

He pointed to the increase in the number of expatriates in the country to meet the needs of these projects, which is a positive thing. But there are still many sectors in which the state must pump more investments, whether through direct investment or stimulating the private sector to enter into them, which will effectively contribute to achieving the state’s vision for the year 2030 to diversify sources of income.

Small and medium industries, tourism, agriculture, animal and fishery development are still sectors with limited activity and limited contribution to the state’s domestic product. The government has already made great strides in creating the appropriate investment environment for these sectors and activities and is working hard to provide the infrastructure required by these activities.

I believe that the state is making more efforts in this context. Pumping more investments into these vital sectors and providing the necessary support to the private sector and preparing and supporting it to engage in these activities will have a positive impact in meeting the basic needs of various sectors in the State of Qatar and securing the needs of individuals, in addition to enhancing exports. The state is involved in these activities and sectors, and the state’s trend in investing in renewable energy is considered a major positive role and on the right track.
As for covering the size of the decline in total income due to oil revenues for the year 2015, it may contribute to covering some of the decline in revenues, but I think it is still too early to say that the non-oil sectors will cover the size of the decline in total income.

Rationalization of expenses

* What will the continued decline in the price of a barrel of oil and its remaining at low levels entail for countries producing and exporting oil and gas?

The producing and exporting countries will then move to reconsider their financial and investment policies and level of spending, especially in the event of an actual decline in oil prices to the level of the estimated price of a barrel of oil in the general budget. Countries will then move towards rearranging priorities according to the importance and necessity of their development projects...

The budgets allocated to the projects currently under engineering design will also be re-evaluated and available means will be sought to reduce costs, postpone some of them, or reconsider the timetable set for these projects according to their priorities and the needs of their various sectors, and perhaps cancel some of them.

And renegotiating existing contracts, especially contracts for supply services, and in the organizational structures of institutions, companies, and various ministries, and future employment plans, and the level of wages and benefits for their employees... In short, they will have to move towards rationalization of spending, whether for existing operations or future projects, and perhaps reconsider support policies in the various sectors. Perhaps imposing additional taxes and laying off large numbers of the workforce.

 Doha - Al Sharq newspaper


More residential and administrative units enter the competition auction

Mr. Mohamed S. Mohamed Hamad Al-Shirawi, Chairman of the Board of Directors, of Al-Shirawi Investment and Real Estate Development Company, said that the company has contracted with many real estate development companies in the region and we currently represent them commercially, and thus these agreements enable us to market their properties of various types, sizes and locations. Through our participation in this exhibition. We offer citizens and residents wishing to invest abroad a number of diverse options. Especially for those wishing to invest in the Egyptian real estate sector, in which we represent several well-established companies with distinguished projects.

In response to a question about the trends of the local and foreign real estate sector, especially during the past two years, Al-Shirawi added: “Unfortunately, this sector has not been dealt with in a sound scientific manner, especially since mortgages were one of the reasons for the collapse and bankruptcy of many banks and financial institutions around the world, and this means that Any country must have a strategic outlook and a thoughtful, integrated plan that takes into account current and future needs and studies the impact of its operations on the local, Gulf and international economy. As you know, the past eight years have witnessed the State of Qatar remarkable development in various fields and sectors, accompanied by an increase in the country’s population, which has prompted... Many Qatari real estate developers and investors decided to invest in this sector and contribute to the renaissance witnessed by the country, in addition to the great direction and focus on curbing inflation at that time. Some governments succeeded in reducing inflation rates in their countries, but at the same time they created other problems as a result of this sudden reduction, and there were no solutions. Ready to be implemented, and it is obvious that every sector, whatever its activity, is going through stages of recovery and recession, and through the volume of supply and demand that we have witnessed over the past two years and are still witnessing in the current period in the Qatari real estate market, we see that the real estate market has tended to stagnate, and this is mainly due to the increase in real estate units, whether residential or commercial. The administration revealed the volume of demand in the same period, which in turn contributed to the stability of prices in some areas of the country, and also contributed to a major price correction in other areas that had reached record price levels that some described as bloated, but there is no doubt that the current supply of housing units is much more than required. If this situation continues at the same pace, this sector will witness negative impacts on other sectors.”

He added: “Therefore, the strategy of flooding the market with the aim of reducing prices must be reconsidered to include positive and effective solutions for any side effects on the real estate sector and other sectors. Perhaps it is better to look at the issue from all its dimensions in order to reach effective solutions.”

Regarding the challenges facing the real estate sector, Al-Shirawi believes that the real estate sector in the current period faces several challenges, including, for example, the increase in traditional residential units offered for rent, which has provided the tenant with the opportunity to choose between the levels of luxury present in the units offered, which raises the price of units over others, which is usually oriented towards Towards the largest and most luxurious units offered within an appropriate price framework, and the entry of more residential and administrative units currently under construction into the market, will contribute to increasing the intensity of competition among real estate owners, which in turn will increase the chances of experiencing a new corrective and price wave.

He added: “Today, real estate developers must move away from traditional investment in this sector, and move towards real estate investment and development that will fill the gaps in the real estate market. If we move away from the residential and administrative units segment, we find that there is a shortage in other real estate units, such as tourist and commercial real estate units, which allows Opportunities for real estate developers to invest and develop to meet the needs of the various segments of this sector. We find, for example, a scarcity of small and medium-sized commercial units and showrooms, of which we note continued inflation in the prices of their supply, even during the periods of price correction that some residential and administrative units have gone through. This is in addition to the challenges of residential units. There are many vacant administrative units that do not bring any return to their owners and therefore they will not be able to pay their financial obligations, in addition to technical and engineering challenges related to designs that did not take into account car users and the parking requirements for their cars.”

In a question about the Shura Council’s approval of a draft law regulating real estate brokerage work (brokerage) and prohibiting the practice of brokerage work without obtaining a prior license, Al-Shirawi said: The Qatari real estate market was in dire need of a law regulating the work of real estate brokers, and for a regulatory body to follow up on the work and activities of brokerage offices. . Implementing the law regulating real estate brokerage businesses will have an effective role in stabilizing the local real estate market.

 It will also eliminate the random speculation of brokers, who lacked controls to regulate and monitor their work. It will also contribute to the disappearance of brokers who lack sufficient experience and knowledge of real estate brokerage and brokerage work, as working in real estate brokerage requires certain skills. It also requires continuous monitoring of land and real estate prices and demand for them. It also requires monitoring, studying, and understanding the economic data and the politics surrounding it. If we look at some of the current practitioners of this profession, we will find that they came to this profession because of the rewarding return compared to their original profession. We find that some of them were teachers, accountants, or had no previous profession, but rather acquired it through their father or a relative. You will find that they do not have the full knowledge, necessary qualifications, or skills required to practice this profession. Occupation.

There is no doubt that implementing the law will work to protect all parties involved in the real estate brokerage profession. Which has become of growing importance in line with the aspirations and outlook of the country’s wise leadership and in support of the needs of the next stage.

Source: Al-Sharq newspaper

The Chamber’s Tourism Committee discusses the sector’s challenges

The profit margin and the monopoly of the national carrier are the most important problems of the travel office

Tuesday, January 7, 2014 Al-Raya newspaper



Abdullah Muhammad - Wrote:

Yesterday, the Tourism Committee of the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry revealed during an expanded meeting with owners of travel and tourism offices that there are about 170 travel offices in Qatar suffering from many problems, including the profit margin and the monopoly of the national carrier. The meeting was chaired by Sheikh Hamad bin Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Thani, a member of the Chamber’s Board of Directors. The Chairman of the Committee, in the presence of representatives of Qatar Airways, the Head of the Travel Offices Department at the General Authority of Civil Aviation, and a large number of those interested in the sector.

During the meeting, the problems facing the tourism sector in general and those related to travel and tourism offices in particular were raised. It was agreed that the problems of travel and tourism offices would be discussed in meetings with the General Authority for Tourism today at the Chamber’s headquarters, and that proposals that hinder the owners of the offices would be collected and submitted to the responsible authorities.

Sheikh Hamad bin Ahmed Al Thani, Chairman of the Tourism Committee, explained that this meeting is open and frank, and will contribute to improving the activity of travel and tourism offices in a way that does not conflict with the interests and economic trends of the State of Qatar. He said that the obstacles and problems facing this sector will be raised to the responsible authorities, especially the head of the General Tourism Authority, who will be interviewed in the chamber today.

He stressed that travel agencies are keen to promote the image of Qatar's economy and implement the necessary steps to enable it to reach the global level, so all the issues and topics that will be raised are only for the benefit of our national economy and the interest of the private sector that we represent.

Sheikh Hamad added: “When we address the problems of travel and tourism offices as a tourism activity, we must realize that the arena has become a specific industry and must have all the means and components available for its establishment, success and continuation. Any practice of monopoly over an activity is considered a step backward. Therefore, we must collectively strive to reject all forms of acquisition or monopoly. At the same time, we strive to develop our own capabilities to enable us to carry out activities with a greater degree of transparency and professional and ethical commitment. Because in the end We present a picture of Qatar and its economy. Travel and tourism offices are not just an intermediary between the visitor and the state, but they represent the first impression that the tourist gets upon entering the country. Our keenness to leave a positive impression will be the measure of the service we provide.”
The Chairman of the Committee considered this expanded meeting a real opportunity to discuss, consult and express an opinion on ways to enable travel and tourism offices to play their role in serving the Qatari private sector and the state, because any attempt to give priority to the interest of one party over the other is doomed to failure because each party only complements, supports and helps the other party and not to fight it.


Returned checks

The businessman, Mohammad Al-Shirawi, complained about the issue of bounced checks that travel agencies suffer from, causing them huge losses. He said: “A company contacts the travel office and asks it to reserve travel tickets for its employees in exchange for checks. After booking and collecting the checks from the banks, we discover that this company has no funds, which exposes the companies to loss.”
Al-Shirawi called on the Civil Aviation Authority to intervene immediately to eliminate such a problem. He also called on Qatar Airways to provide opinion and advice so that travel agencies do not suffer losses. He also called on insurance companies to intervene and compensate travel agencies for losses from bounced checks.
For his part, Mubarak Rashid Al Derham, Head of Travel Offices at the General Authority of Civil Aviation, responded to Al Shirawi by saying that the problem of bounced checks is not within the authority’s specialty, and travel offices must ensure the company’s credibility before dealing with it. Al-Dirham added: “The solution to this issue comes by resorting to the judiciary and the law, which gives everyone his rights.”

Same complaint

In continuation of the same complaint, Hassan Al-Mousawi, owner of Seef Travel Office, asked the Qatar Credit Information Center to issue reports on the companies for the travel office to review. Al-Moussawi asked the Civil Aviation Authority to contact the Qatar Credit Information Center to issue such reports so that travel agencies are not exposed to losses.
Mubarak Al Derham responded that the authority cannot contact the Qatar Credit Bureau to issue such reports. He pointed out that the role of the Authority is to regulate the travel and aviation sector and issue licenses and information about reporting companies.

Here, Sheikh Hamad bin Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Thani, member of the Board of Directors and Chairman of the Tourism and Exhibitions Committee, said that today, Tuesday, we will meet with Issa bin Mohammed Al-Muhannadi, Chairman of the General Authority for Tourism, and discuss such a topic.

Tourism Association

In turn, businessman Youssef Al-Darwish called for the establishment of an association consisting of 12 people aimed at solving all the problems facing travel and tourism offices. He said that this association will be like the Businessmen Association, coordinating between travel offices and the Civil Aviation Authority and always studying developments in this sector.
Sheikh Hamad responded that this proposal is good and we will include it in our meeting on Tuesday with the head of the Saudi Tourism Authority as well.

As for Mubarak Al-Dirham, he said that the Civil Aviation Authority is adopting such a proposal and will be established according to the law, noting that 8 years ago there was such an association.

In addition, Jaber Al-Mansouri demanded a commission from travel agencies, hotels, and Qatar Airways for the benefit of exhibition owners that promote the Qatari economy and bring many delegations to the country, indicating that the national carrier must contribute to promoting tourism. He also talked about commercial licenses approved by the General Aviation Authority. Al-Madani, pointing out that it is supposed to be subject to conditions of competence and training in the field of travel and tourism, and not just setting a financial condition estimated at approximately 200 thousand Qatari riyals.

Multiple problems

The attendees revealed that there are about 70 companies registered with IATA, some of which leave bank guarantees amounting to 12 million riyals, and their profit margin reaches 7% of the value of each ticket, and they are direct, and the travel agency is the one who bears the value of the ticket from the beginning until the citizen customers pay. There are also companies and travel agencies that are not registered with IATA, but they handle handling through other offices and earn 2% of the value of each ticket.