QTA, QU Sign Domestic Tourism Survey Pact

Doha, April 01 (QNA) - Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) and Qatar University's (QU) Social and Economic Survey Research Institute (SESRI) have signed a Memorandum of Collaboration to do Domestic Tourism Survey, the authority announced Wednesday. The cellphone survey developed by experts will give insights into local and foreign tourism trends of Qatar citizens and residents, living here for minimum six months, QTA said. QTA Chief Tourism Development Officer Hassan Al Ibrahim, and QU SESRI Director and QU Associate Vice President for Research Dr. Darwish Al Emadi will oversee the work for their respective sides. "The survey will help define the impact of domestic tourism on the overall tourism economy, resident's preferences, allow us to plan, regulate and develop sustainable tourism in Qatar," said Al Ibrahim. "Qatar is promoting tourism as a driver of socio-economic growth. We are contributing to QTA's efforts to identify opportunities and obstacles to help policymakers decide the way forward," said Dr Al Emadi. The survey's results will support the development of Qatar's Tourism Satellite Account (TSA), the only satellite account system approved by the United Nations Statistical Commission, said Al Ibrahim. The 2013 draft TSA estimated domestic tourism spending of QR 9.3 Billion that directly benefits Qatars economy. The planned survey will help to refine these estimates and fill some data gaps, QTA said. The partners will conduct the survey every quarter starting from June 2015. (QNA)