Qatar Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (QTEA) and Shafallah Centre for Children with Special needs have signed a MoU with the aim of implementing new standards for hotels and tourist establishments in Qatar to host people with special needs.

The MoU was signed by Dr Saif Al-Hajari, vice chairman of Shafallah Center for Children with Special Needs, and the chairman of Qatar Tourism and Exhibitions Authority Ahmed Abdallah Al Nuaimi, at QTEA’s premises in the West Bay Area.

Following the hotel regulation set up by Qatar Tourism and Exhibitions Authority in 2007, specific ratings for hotel offering particularly good facilities and services are now the core of QTEA's action to improve Qatari hospitality management.

"This MoU is a step forward in Qatar hospitality. We are very pleased to make this partnership with Shafallah Centre for Children with Special needs, as they are the most innovative for care of people with reduced mobility and special needs," Ahmed Al Nuaimi, chairman of QTEA, said at the signing ceremony.

"We will together ensure that the highest quality of services for every visitor is offered, as per Qatari spirit of warmly welcoming everyone," he remarked.

Qatar is witnessing a rapid rise in hotel capacity, with more accommodation due to come online. According to tourism authorities, 101 hotels are currently under construction.

A total of 29,000 luxury rooms and furnished stars apartment will be available by 2012, totalling a 400 per cent increase in hotel capacity, they added.- TradeArabia News Service