Tourism development in Qatar: towards a diversification strategy beyond the conventional 3 Ss

Abstract

Research on tourism development in oil-dependent countries is still in its infancy arguably because the tourism sector itself is new in those countries. This paper makes a contribution filling this gap with a focus on the diversification strategy which Qatar seems to be pursuing. The pursuit of the conventional 3 Ss model of Sea, Sand and Sun by Qatar in terms of its tourism development trajectory seems to be the only focus of its tourism development strategy. Against a backdrop of phenomenal growth, Qatar then incorporated the 4Ss of Safari, Skyscrapers, Sport, Shopping, and Surgery to offer a diversified product which appeals to sport enthusiast; a shopper; safari adventurer; a landscape and architectural admirer; health enthusiast (or just patients) for surgery; and a holiday maker for sea, sand, sun thereby establishing its own competitive advantage in the tourism sector. The framework of Qatar’s offerings and model of tourism development of Qatar are this paper’s major contributions as they open up new research areas as to whether endowments can be expanded/diversified as is the case of Qatar and whether growth trajectories are context specific. For Qatar, Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions, Festivals, History, Heritage, Desert, Sea, Nature reserves and Safari are all part of a single experience.