Tag Archives: Visit Qatar

CEO of Visit Qatar participated in a high level panel session at the Qatari-Russian Economic Forum last week. He shared the commitment of Visit Qatar to review the prospects of cooperation between Qatar and Russia in the field of tourism, pointing to the importance of expanding tourism offers in line with the interests of visitors, enhancing air connectivity between Doha and major Russian cities, and simplifying visa procedures, as one of the most important incentives to increase tourist flows from Russia to Qatar. Within the framework of the visit of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to the Russian Federation, Eng. Abdulaziz Ali Al-Mawlawi, CEO of Visit Qatar, participated in a high-level panel discussion within the activities of the Qatari-Russian Economic Forum, which was held on 17 April 2025 in Moscow under the title: “Cooperation in the fields of healthcare, tourism and urban infrastructure to support national development priorities”. The session was moderated by Ms. Karina Hassan, Journalist, TV presenter and co-founder of K&K Media Productions, and was attended by H.E. Eng. Khalid Ahmed Al Obaidly, Real Estate Regulatory Authority – Real Estate, Mr. Dmitry Morozov, Chairman of Biocad, and Mr. Sergey Cheryumin, Minister of the Government of Moscow, Head of the Department of Foreign Economic and International Relations of the City of Moscow. The session highlighted investment opportunities in the tourism, urban infrastructure, and medical technologies sectors, as well as regulatory frameworks and public-private partnership models. During his intervention, the CEO of Visit Qatar reviewed the prospects of cooperation between Qatar and Russia in the field of tourism, pointing to the importance of expanding tourism offers in line with the interests of visitors, enhancing air connectivity between …

Visit Qatar in collaboration with Qatari Diar hosted the Lusail Sky Festival, which lasted for 3 days coinciding with the Eid Al Fitr holiday, the largest event of its kind in Qatar welcomed more than 340,000visitors. The festival presented an exceptional visual show that brought together more than 3,000 drones and 16 aircraft in coordinated aerial shows that included world-class acrobatic aircraft shows, skydiving, sky-writing aircraft, coloured smoke displays, fast jet shows, laser-enhanced night shows, and fireworks displays. Lusail skies were lit up by professional show teams from Qatar, Northern Europe, the United Kingdom and Germany, with the participation of123 international air show professionals. The excitement spread to the ground, where visitors enjoyed live performances, family and musical activities, as well as a selection of food from chargers and food trucks. As an event open to the public, Lusail Sky Festival is the embodiment of a commitment Visit Qatar by providing world-class experiences that are accessible and suitable for all, emphasizing Qatar’s position as a vibrant destination that attracts visitors from the region and the world.

Visit Qatar and Microsoft strengthened their collaboration to drive digital innovation in the tourism sector by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Qatar Web Summit. The MoU was signed by Eng. Abdulaziz Ali Al Mawlawi, CEO of Visit Qatar, and Lana Khalaf, General Manager of Microsoft Qatar, marking the beginning of a new phase of partnership between the two sides. Building on the success of Visit Qatar’s Smart Travel Assistant powered by Microsoft Azure, OpenAI 4o and 4o mini technologies, the two entities will explore the latest technologies to enhance visitor experiences and improve workflows. Visit Qatar’s Smart Travel Assistant is a pioneering innovation that seamlessly integrates text, voice, content, a conversational virtual assistant, maps and an interactive layout interface, setting new standards in digital excellence in tourism. Visit Qatar and Microsoft are developing a comprehensive technology roadmap to drive digital transformation in the tourism sector and enhance visitor experiences through integrated smart and digital solutions.

In January 2025, Qatar Stopover programme recorded more than 10,500 visitors, compared to 6,651 in January 2024. The number of visitors in the stopover programme increased an impressive 165% from April 2024 to January 2025 – as compared to the same timeframe in the previous year. Discover Qatar, the destination management arm of Qatar Airways Group, has achieved a significant milestone, welcoming over 10,000 stopover visitors in a single month for the first time since the Qatar Stopover Programme’s relaunch in August 2021. This achievement reflects Qatar’s growing appeal as a world-class destination and the programme’s growing popularity. The programme has also driven exceptional growth in hotel bookings, with over 100,000 room nights sold so far this year – doubling the figures from the previous year. Qatar Airways Holidays is driving this success as the largest contributor to the programme’s sales, delivering over a third of all bookings, leveraging the marketing strength of Qatar Airways around the globe. Stopover is proving incredibly popular with Qatar Airways frequent flyers too, with 20% of customers using the popular loyalty currency Avios to pay for their bookings, with logged in Privilege Club members earning Avios and Qpoints with every transaction. Discover Qatar Senior Vice President, Mr. Steven Reynolds, said: “Qatar Stopover Programme is central to positioning Qatar as a leading global destination, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030. By leveraging Qatar Airways’ extensive network of over 170 destinations and the outstanding travel experiences we offer, we have firmly established Qatar as a must-visit destination. At Discover Qatar, we are committed to delivering tailored packages that combine cultural discovery, world-class hospitality, and unforgettable experiences for travellers from around the world.” The growth of the …

Visit Qatar successfully concluded its first roadshow in Kuwait, held in partnership with Go Beyond, the leading representative agency supported by Gulf Travel. The tour provided an exclusive platform to promote Qatar as an exceptional destination for leisure and business tourism, highlighting its distinctive offerings, including short breaks, winter vacations and stopover experiences. The tour brought together several key partners in Qatar’s tourism sector, including Qatar Airways and some of Qatar’s finest hotels. along with 150 industry leaders from prominent tour operators and travel agents in Kuwait. Attendees participated in productive networking sessions that contributed to building strategic working relationships. Attendees also witnessed a personalized presentation that showcased Qatar’s diverse tourism landscape, world-class attractions, and its growing role as a major travel hub in the region. To add to the excitement, the tour also included a special draw, where the winners received two nights at the participating hotels. Kuwait is one of the main markets for Visit Qatar, with Doha welcoming more than 170,000 visitors from Kuwait in 2024, looking for a world-class tourism experience with a family-friendly atmosphere. Qatar welcomes visitors arriving by land, air or sea, where citizens of 102 countries can enter without a visa. Just a short trip can allow visitors to enjoy Qatar’s winter season, spend time in luxury resorts and keep up with vibrant cultural offerings and experiences, all in close proximity to the heart of Doha. GCC travellers can also take advantage of exclusive offers and discounts on a variety of services and offers through the ‘Visit Qatar Pass’, available on the Visit Qatar app. Visit Qatar Pass offers its users discounts ranging from 30-50% across a wide range of categories, including food …

Organised by Visit Qatar for the first time, the Sealine Season has been an exceptional success to date, attracting more than 48,000 visitors since its launch on 3rd January 2025. The Samaritan Night, held on Friday 24 January, was one of the highlights of the season, attracting a large audience who experienced the rich cultural heritage of the Arabian Peninsula. The Samaritan Band, which has more than 400 members, dazzled more than 23,000 visitors with its traditional musical and poetic performance. The site was fully prepared in just 72 hours, reflecting outstanding planning and execution. During the final weekend of Celine Season, visitors also witnessed drone displays, a spectacular fireworks display, and the thrill of the Celine Season digital draw. Celine Season continues to offer visitors a variety of experiences until 27 January, including desert safari adventures, family fun activities such as football and volleyball, children’s activities and creative workshops. The high turnout underscores Celine’s position as a seasonal destination that celebrates Qatari culture and adventure experiences.

Visit Qatar hosted the Arabian Luxury Travel Show 2025, which was held for the first time in Doha from 12 to 15 January 2025. The event was designed to strengthen Qatar’s position as a leading luxury tourism destination in the Middle East, with more than 160 luxury tour operators and MICE agents from key markets, including Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Moldova and the Baltic States. More than 50 prestigious hotels, destination management companies and tourism authorities from across the region also participated in the event, including Qatar, the UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Turkey and the Indian Ocean. Participants showcased world-class luxury offerings and highlighted the Middle East’s world-class luxury offerings, reinforcing the region’s position as a hub for luxury tourism. The event included an intensive four-day schedule at The Ritz-Carlton Doha, which included two days of bilateral meetings aimed at facilitating important business deals. The last two days were also dedicated to networking events between buyers and exhibitors. Commenting on the event, Eng. Abdulaziz Ali Al Mawlawi, CEO of Visit Qatar, said: “Hosting the Arabian Luxury Travel Show 2025 in Doha is the perfect platform for Visit Qatar to present the unique luxury offerings that characterize Qatar, and through direct communication with influential buyers and travel professionals, we seek to strengthen Qatar’s position as a leading tourist destination for discerning travelers seeking luxury, as this event is in line with our strategic vision to establish Qatar’s presence in the global luxury tourism sector and strengthen our presence in key markets.” The successful hosting of the event underscores Visit Qatar’s commitment to strengthening Qatar’s position as a global luxury destination, in line with the objectives of …

Visit Qatar is launching a first-of-its-kind desert activation at Ras Abrouq, a new premium destination set to run from 18th December until 18th January that caters to the entire family, offering adventure, relaxation and cultural enrichment. Situated on the edge of the UNESCO-protected Al-Reem Biosphere Reserve in north-west Qatar, these activations present a new desert experience for visitors and residents alike. The Visit Qatar activation at Ras Abrouq offers a collection of immersive zones. Families can enjoy a harmonious blend of adventure and tranquillity, complemented by premium offerings that are accessible at affordable prices. Highlights include Our Habitas Resort, The Desert Escape, Film City, Wildlife Park, and the Glamping Zone. Ahmed Hamad Al Binali, the Director of Festivals and Events at Visit Qatar, said, “At Visit Qatar, our goal is to diversify our offering ensuring that every visitor, regardless of age, can enjoy a range of interactive and engaging experiences. From entertaining activities at the Film City zone, to the excitement of the Desert Escape with hot air balloon rides and a wide range of activations, every element is tailored to offer something for everyone.” He added, “We’ve also incorporated cultural installations, live performances, and educational workshops and daily camel parades enabling families to connect with Qatar’s heritage while immersing themselves in its desert landscapes. This activation reflects our commitment to offering premium experiences that create unforgettable memories for families.” The Film City zone will offer a variety of family-oriented activities, including a coffee shop, a gift shop, and an exhibition in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education. Visitors can also enjoy wildlife park rides, camel, pony, and horse rides, as well as a unique photo activation. …

Qatar is looking at promoting its premier specialised medical procedures center to attract medical tourists. Conveniently situated at the crossroads of East and West, Qatar with its world-class healthcare system, renowned for its advanced technology, state-of-the-art facilities, warm hospitality, and unparalleled accessibility. With specialised hospitals for paediatric and women’s health, as well as world-renowned orthopaedic experts, Qatar’s medical excellence is consistently ranked among the top five globally for quality of care, with highly trained professionals and advanced facilities equipped to handle even the most complex medical cases. Being away from home during a medical procedure can be daunting, but Qatar’s proximity to major cities allows families to visit with ease. With most major cities just a convenient six to eight-hour flight away, Qatar’s strategic location seamlessly connects over 177 destinations across the USA, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. This ease of access is further enhanced by Qatar’s welcoming visa policies, with visa-on-arrival options available to citizens from 102 countries. Whether it’s a quick flight from Europe or a short trip from neighbouring Gulf countries, patients, along with their families and friends, can easily access Qatar. Qatar’s commitment to medical excellence is evident in its state-of-the-art healthcare facilities, consistently ranked among the top globally. Institutions such as Sidra Hospital, specialising in paediatric and women’s health, made headlines with the discovery and diagnosis of a new gastroenterological disease, which saved the lives of two young brothers through a precision medicine treatment programme. This breakthrough is set to influence how the disease is diagnosed and treated worldwide. Aspetar, the Gulf’s first specialised orthopaedic and sports medicine hospital, has become the facility of choice for global professional athletes seeking medical care, including notable …

Visit Qatar has unveiled a new version of its stopover campaign in Qatar, the ‘Day of Memories Lasting Experience’, through which it invites passengers transiting through Doha to convert one holiday into two holidays through a stopover in Qatar. The campaign highlighted some of the most popular attractions and diverse tourism experiences that can be enjoyed in Qatar during a short visit of no more than 24 hours. The campaign aims to strengthen Qatar’s position as a leading stopover destination, highlight all the moments worth stopping in Qatar, and prove that one short visit can create the most beautiful and unforgettable memories of a lifetime. The campaign uses the popular classic song “What a Difference a Day Makes”, originally sung by Dina Washington, which emphasizes the profound impact a single day can have on life. The campaign is an invitation for visitors to take advantage of their temporary stopover in Qatar, where they can experience exceptional experiences in Doha and close to the airport such as diving in one of the swimming pools, experiencing Doha’s pristine beaches, or even getting relaxation sessions in the latest malls, instead of spending hours waiting for their second flight inside the airport. Due to the country’s close space, there’s plenty to experience in 24 hours, whether you’re travelling to a distant destination or returning from a business trip. Eng. Abdulaziz Ali Al Mawlawi, Chief Executive Officer of Visit Qatar, said: “As 100% of HIA’s transit passengers are potential guests, this stopover campaign represents a strategic opportunity to highlight the attractions and leisure activities that Qatar has to offer to stopover passengers. Visitors to Doha have endless options to explore the city’s vibrant art and …