With the World Cup 11 years away, Qatar is already preparing for an onslaught of visitors with a specific plan to raise its hotel capacity from 12,000 rooms to 90,000 – 30,000 more than the capacity demanded by FIFA. And, with a sturdy network of five-star luxury hotels already in place, the industry is placing a stronger focus on developing more three and four-star hotels to cater for a wider audience.

Over 40 new hotels are expected to open this year alone, according to Ahmed Abdullah Al Nuaimi, chairman of Qatar Tourism Authority. Occupancy has been consistently strong over the past few years, averaging 60% in 2010, 10 points higher than the previous year.

One of the biggest supporting hotels of the 2022 World Cup campaign is the Ramada Plaza Doha, whose tower was wrapped in a 600-square-yard banner back in 2009 to support the World Cup bid.

The Wyndham Hotel Group chose the Ramada Plaza Doha among 140 other Ramadas as The Best Ramada Hotel in Europe, the Middle East and Africa last year. And, with its 584 modern and elegantly appointed rooms and suites, it is also one of the largest Ramadas in the world.

Considered the place to be for work, dining, relaxing, and staying, Ramada Plaza Doha is located in the heart of Doha’s shopping and commercial districts. It boasts 20 specialty restaurants and bars, including Qube, the largest and one of the most popular nightclubs in the city. “Qatar is such a good place to be,”’ says Gordon G. MacKenzie, the hotel’s general manager.

For those travelers seeking a more hip, innovative and contemporary hotel at a reasonable price, Ramada also offers the Ramada Encore Doha in the business district and just 2.5 miles from the airport.

Both hotels are highly service-oriented and cater to the specific needs of both business and leisure travelers.