Tag Archives: Qatar tourism

Qatar Tourism and Visit Qatar delivered a strong performance and sustained strategic momentum in 2025, reinforcing Qatar’s position as a year-round tourism destination. Total visitor arrivals grew 3.7 percent to 5.1 million, with the country welcoming 674,000 visitors in December, a near 16 percent increase on the same month a year earlier, driven by major international events, including the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025. The hospitality sector delivered solid growth across all key indicators. 10.8 million room nights were sold, up 8.6 percent compared to 2024, while total accommodation revenue reached QAR 8.3 billion, representing a 12 percent year-on-year increase. 2025 was defined by strong integrated delivery across marketing, partnerships and events. More than 35 global strategic partnerships were activated, supported by over 95 integrated marketing campaigns across 19 international markets. Qatar Calendar delivered more than 600 events, while the MICE sector welcomed over one million international business visitors and secured 14 international bids for events scheduled across 2026 and 2027. The designation of Doha as the GCC Tourism Capital for 2026 further affirmed Qatar’s regional leadership. Service excellence remained a central priority, marked by the launch of Taste of Qatar, with up to 800 restaurants inspected nationwide and approximately 150 awarded 3-Star certification, alongside continued growth of the MICHELIN Guide Doha. Workforce development advanced at scale, with more than 55,600 Qatar Host and 13,000 Qatar Specialist programme completions delivered since 2022. Digital enablement and operational readiness were also strengthened – through Hayya, which processed nearly one million e-visa applications and supported major events with over 1.1 million ticket scans during the FIFA Arab Cup, with zero critical disruptions. Cruise tourism also advanced, with 72 cruise calls scheduled for the …

Qatar Tourism, in collaboration with Mwani Qatar, welcomed two ships arriving at Doha Port for the first time this week during a special welcome ceremony for the two ships, marking an important milestone in the 2025/2026 cruise season. The Bahamas-flagged vessel Seven Seas Navigator, operated by Regent Seven Seas Cruises, has arrived on its first visit of the season. The vessel was carrying about 373 passengers and 365 crew members and docked for two nights before departing on December 15. An official reception was held at the cruise terminal during which commemorative shields were exchanged. Doha Port welcomed the Celestial Discovery, operated by Celestial Cruises, marking its first visit to the Port of Doha. The ship was carrying about 1,322 passengers and 476 crew members, during which an official reception was held during which commemorative shields were exchanged. The two visits included a variety of cultural events that highlighted Qatari heritage, including handicraft shows, pearl exhibitions, tawash shows, traditional bearing making, Arabic calligraphy, and traditional Arda shows. Arabic coffee and dates were also served to guests as part of the authentic Qatari hospitality. These visits reflect the continued growth of Qatar’s cruise industry and underscore the pivotal role that Doha Port plays as a key gateway to international visitors during the 2025/2026 season. Qatar Tourism continues to work closely with global cruise lines and partners to expand and strengthen the cruise industry, contributing to the sustainable growth of the tourism industry and supporting Qatar’s economic diversification goals. The cruise season plays a vital role in achieving the ambitions of the Qatar National Vision 2030, by enriching tourism offerings and increasing the number of international visitors, thereby strengthening Qatar’s position as …

Visit Qatar is set to participate in the World Travel Market (WTM) 2025, taking place from 4–6 November 2025 at ExCeL London. As one of the world’s leading global travel and tourism exhibitions, WTM serves as a strategic platform to spotlight Qatar’s diverse tourism offering, strengthen partnerships, and attract new business and investment opportunities in line with the country’s national tourism strategy. Leading a strong delegation of 48 partners, including hotels, resorts, and destination management companies, Visit Qatar will present the country’s expanding tourism ecosystem within the dedicated Qatar Pavilion, located at Stand S8-210. The Qatar Pavilion will feature a striking two-level design covering 700 sqm with an additional 150 sqm mezzanine, offering engaging spaces for networking and business meetings. The stand will immerse visitors in Qatar’s rich culture and modern experiences through a series of creative activations and showcases. Highlights include a range of engaging and interactive activations including a dedicated cultural zone featuring live demonstrations of calligraphy, Kohl and perfume making, offering visitors an authentic glimpse into Qatari traditions and craftsmanship. Guests will also enjoy a taste of Qatari hospitality through the Qinwan coffee and dates experience. To further enhance visitor engagement, a special 4D immersive activation will bring Meryal Waterpark to life through multi-sensory visual, audio, and water effects, providing an exhilarating preview of one of Qatar’s newest attractions. In addition, a dedicated Qatar Calendar showcase will offer insights into the country’s upcoming events, festivals, and cultural celebrations throughout the year. WTM London 2025 continues to be one of the travel industry’s most significant global gatherings, connecting professionals from across the world to discuss the future of the tourism industry. Through its participation, Visit Qatar reaffirms its …

Qatar’s tourism industry is on track for a strong year in 2025, with new data showing double-digit growth across visitor spending and job creation. According to the World Travel & Tourism Council’s latest research, the sector is expected to contribute QAR 166.6 billion (USD 45.8 billion) to the national economy by 2035 — a major increase of more than 20 percent compared to 2019 levels. For 2025 alone, international visitor spending is projected to reach nearly QAR 98.8 billion (USD 27.1 billion), driven by rising arrivals from Saudi Arabia, India, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Leisure travel will dominate, making up over 76 percent of total spending, while business travel continues to play an important supporting role. The tourism boom is also expected to create more than 136,000 new jobs over the next decade, adding to Qatar’s efforts to diversify its economy and strengthen its position as a global destination. Qatar is now aiming to become one of the fastest-growing tourism markets in the Middle East.