The Qatar National Tourism Council (QNTC) has reached a major milestone in its Qatar Clean programme, with 100% of QNTC-licenced hotels now recognised as “Qatar Clean” certified.
QNTC’s Qatar Clean programme, which was launched in June 2020 in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH), ensures the highest standards in hygiene and cleanliness, as well as stringent protocols to ensure customer safety.
His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, QNTC Secretary General, as well as COO Mr. Berthold Trenkel, QNTC COO, made a visit to the W Doha, the first hotel to be certified Qatar Clean. With 100 percent of hotels certified, the programme has now been expanded to restaurants, with the potential to be applied to other areas such as transportation, retail, and culture.
“As we mark one year of our Qatar Clean programme, we are very pleased with its successful implementation. 100% of QNTC-licensed hotels have now been certified Qatar Clean, and the programme illustrates how together we our stakeholders, we have been able to innovate and adapt to the challenges of the past year. Qatar Clean is a key component of our proposition; those in Qatar can enjoy our award-winning hospitality and world class offerings with their safety assured, and we look forward to welcoming visitors from both near and far.”
– Qatar National Tourism Council Secretary General and Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker
Qatar Clean certified hotels and restaurants can operate at a reduced capacity and serve fully vaccinated clients as Qatar relaxes its restrictions. With guests from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) now permitted to enter Qatar, both visitors and residents can be certain that Qatar Clean certified venues maintain the highest standards of health and hygiene.
Qatar acted promptly to limit the spread of COVID-19, putting in place a set of measures aimed at protecting the health and safety of its residents. Ehteraz, an obligatory track-and-trace app, as well as other measures like mandatory face masks and social isolation, have allowed the country to reopen domestically and to visitors from the GCC, and prepare for the resumption of inbound tourism.
Residents and visitors can relax and enjoy Qatar’s award-winning hospitality, comfortable in the knowledge that the Qatar Clean programme adheres to international health and safety standards.
Hotels must fulfil the following guidelines to keep their Qatar Clean certification:
1. Each hotel facility must appoint its own Qatar Clean Programme Manager responsible for overseeing employee training and overall compliance with programme requirements.
2. Hotels must sterilise their facilities daily, conduct frequent and thorough cleaning, use disinfectant in all rooms, air conditioning systems, water tanks, toilets, and ensure stringent sterilisation of designated guest areas, especially reception halls and lobbies.
3. In order to reduce contact with guests, hotels must adopt mobile or other contactless procedures for check in and check out, while optimising spaces to maintain a distance of at least two metres between individuals.
4. Hotels must carry out daily temperature checks on all employees at the start of their shifts, as well as on suppliers and guests. Anyone exhibiting symptoms of Coronavirus must immediately be placed in isolation, and MOPH would be contacted.
QNTC and MOPH joint committees continue to inspect hotels and their facilities to ensure that programme standards are being followed, with penalties issued for non-compliance. As a result of the program’s success in the hotel sector, it’s being explored for other areas such as transportation, retail, and culture.
