Increased tourism brings building boom to Gulf region

As visitors flock to the desert, the growth in tourism is reflected in projects being developed in major cities such as Doha, Qatar.

The World Tourism Organization said tourism in the region grew 2 percent in 2014 while revenue from tourism in the Gulf region has gone up by as much as 10.4 percent so far this year.  

With that growth has come a rush of high-end eco-friendly resorts, luxurious shopping malls, five-star hotels and residential-business complexes. 

“Qatar is moving strongly toward the implementation of green real estate projects, which reduces both the negative impacts of buildings on the environment as well as the construction operating costs," UrbaCon Construction & Trading Executive Director Mohammed Moataz Al-Khayyat said. 

As a result, the region is also seeing a need for a more educated workforce and more eco-friendly building materials.

In addition to the boom in building,  innovative services and technologies are emerging, including mobile apps designed for travelers to quickly book a stay, including flight, hotel, attractions, shopping locations and recreational activities.

Travel agencies also have adopted the “one package” policy, which offers tourist everything from mobile travel reservations to booking a camping trip in the desert or dinner on a posh yacht to a tour of historical sites.