Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces to develop Qatar’s first five-star hotel
September 8, 2006

Qatar Sports Investment Company (QSI) has joined forces with the Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces, one of Asia’s largest and finest groups of hotels, in order to develop Qatar’s first five-star golf and spa hotel in Doha. Based at the Doha Golf Club, the only PGA standard 18-hole golf course in Qatar, the Taj Exotica Golf and Spa Resort will occupy a site at Doha Golf Club and represent an investment of approximately QR 220 million over 3 years.

Launching in early 2009, the Taj Exotica Golf and Spa resort will be the first Golf Resort and Spa of its kind in Doha, offering a unique mix of access to Doha’s world-class golf course and a Jiva Grande Club and Spa. The proposed design comprises a luxury, low-rise five-star boutique hotel complete with a host of world-class facilities, including 150 rooms and suites, restaurants and a bar, and meeting and conferencing facilities. It is the latest in a prestigious line of hotels managed by the Taj Group, whose other notable hotels include the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower in Mumbai, India, Taj Exotica Resort and Spa, Dubai.

QSI was established in March 2005 by H.H, Sheik Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, Heir Apparent of the State of Qatar, President of the Qatar National Olympic Committee and has a clear objective to invest in and establish professional entities in the sports, leisure and entertainment industries in Qatar and abroad. It already holds investments in some of Doha’s leading leisure facilities such as the Al Dana Club and the Doha Golf Club.

Abdulla Khalid Al Qahtani, chairman, QSi commented: "Our mission is to develop the reputation and stature of Qatar as a sporting nation through investment in exciting and innovative developments in the world of sports, leisure and entertainment. This investment marks the beginning of a strategic process that will deliver our mission, both in Qatar and abroad. Taj is the ideal company to manage the first of our endeavors in this space, thanks to its history of expertise in hospitality management."

Raymond N Bickson, managing director and chief executive officer, The Indian Hotels Company Limited, said: "We are very excited with this new project, which marks our foray into the golf resort segment in this region. The Taj Exotica Resort and Spa brand is today recognised for its luxurious offerings including an elevated degree of service, outstanding food, and a unique spa concept and uber chic design. We are delighted to partner with Qatar Sports Investment Company for the Taj Exotica Golf Resort and Spa-Doha, Qatar. Today, Qatar, UAE, Bahrain and Oman all form part of a strategic group of countries in the Gulf region. Leisure and hospitality in this region is growing exponentially and it is important for the Taj Hotels to be present in these strategic countries of this region, which is rapidly morphing into a tourism hub of the future."

The golf course at the Doha Golf Club encompasses an area of 150 hectares and includes a renowned PGA-standard, 18-hole championship course and a 9-hole floodlight academy course. The Qatar Masters, which is now co-sanctioned by the European PGA tour and the Asia PGA tour, has been a regular feature on the Doha Golf Club calendar since 1998. The addition of the Taj Exotica Golf and Spa Resort-Doha will enhance the facilities available to local and visiting golfers in Qatar.

About Qatar Sports Investment Company (QSI)
Established in March 2005 by H H Sheik Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, heir apparent of the State of Qatar and president of the Qatar National Olympic Committee, QSI’s vision is to be recognised as a leading sports, entertainment and leisure investment company in Qatar and beyond. This strategic vision will be developed through the investment in and establishment of a range of prestigious ventures in the field of sports, entertainment and leisure which create value for customers, the public and stakeholders. QSI is a fully-owned entity of the Government of Qatar and Qatar National Olympic Committee with over QAR 1.5 billion in assets.