Doha, April 08 (QNA) - Qatar Chamber held an open meeting on Wednesday with HE Chairman of the Qatar Tourism Saad bin Ali Al Kharji, in the presence of HE Chairman of the Qatar Chamber Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al-Thani, HE Chairman of the Chamber's Tourism Committee Sheikh Hamad bin Ahmed bin Abdullah Al-Thani, and HE Board Member of the Qatari Businessmen Association (QBA) Sheikh Nawaf bin Nasser Al-Thani.

The meeting was also attended by several members of the Chamber's Board of Directors, members of the Tourism Committee, a number of Qatari businessmen, and representatives of companies operating in the tourism sector.

Discussions focused on reviewing the key challenges facing the private tourism sector amid recent regional developments, as well as identifying proposals put forward by business owners to address these challenges.

In his remarks, HE Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim emphasized the tourism sector's vital role in supporting and diversifying the national economy, reaffirming the chamber's commitment to safeguarding the interests of private sector companies operating in this field.

His Excellency commended Qatar Tourism's efforts in developing the sector and addressing challenges faced by business owners and investors. He stressed the importance of uniting efforts to support investors, particularly new entrants affected by recent regional developments, to ensure business continuity and growth. He further highlighted the need to enhance support for private sector enterprises, improve service quality, and strengthen competitiveness.

In turn, HE Chairman of Qatar Tourism Saad bin Ali Al Kharji emphasized that Qatar places special importance on the sector due to its vital role in supporting economic growth and diversification, commending the strong support it receives from the wise leadership and the government. He noted that Qatar Tourism is working closely with stakeholders to identify the needs of business owners and the key challenges they face amid the current circumstances, with a view to submitting them to the relevant authorities and working towards swift and effective solutions.

For his part, HE QC Member and Chairman of the Tourism Committee Sheikh Hamad bin Ahmed Al-Thani noted that the hotel sector has incurred significant losses during the recent period. He expressed his aspiration to support hotel owners, particularly by supporting electricity fees and the postponement of installment payments.

The meeting addressed the challenges facing the private tourism sector in the current regional circumstances, expressing their hope for a halt to the escalation and a return to stability in the region, given the positive implications this would have on economic, commercial, developmental and tourism performance. (QNA)