The National Tourism Council in the State of Qatar is an independent administrative authority or a traditional administrative organization

Abstract

Is the National Tourism Council in the State of Qatar an independent administrative authority or a traditional administrative entity? This research aims to determine the legal classification of the National Tourism Council in the State of Qatar and whether it can be considered one of the independent administrative authorities, considering its structural composition, the functional role assigned to it, and the legal means at its disposal. This is all examined in light of the comparative approach to the legal concept of independent administrative authorities. The goal is to conclude whether the Qatari legislator has adopted this advanced type of administrative organization or if the council falls under the category of traditional administrative decentralization entities. The research adopts a descriptive, analytical, and comparative methodology, leading to several conclusions, the chief amongst them is that the National Tourism Council cannot be classified as one of the independent administrative authorities since it does not meet all the legal requirements that characterize such authorities. The most important recommendations include limiting the extensive regulatory powers of the council, enabling it to issue flexible legal rules, particularly recommendations, and providing more guarantees within the framework of administrative criminal reconciliation for crimes stipulated in Law No. 20 of 2018.