Tourism Breaking News
Qatar welcomed more than 2.56 million visitors from January to 25 August 2023, surpassing the total number of visitors for the whole of 2022, marking a 157% increase in the number of international visitors compared to the same period last year. This significant increase in the number of visitors to Qatar reflects the country’s growing position as a leading tourist destination in the world, supported by the success achieved following the successful hosting of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, which put Qatar on the international tourism map.
The tourism sector has received a boost thanks to the extension of the validity of the Hayya Card to its existing holders and the relaunch of the Haya platform to become a unified visa portal for visitors coming to Qatar, as the country welcomed visitors from all over the world, with visitors from Saudi Arabia, India, Germany, the United States of America, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates and Pakistan topping the list of countries for visitors coming to Qatar.
His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, President of Qatar Tourism and Group Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Airways, said: “This growth in international visitors to Qatar is the result of Qatar Tourism’s strategy to capitalise on the tourism momentum that accompanied the hosting of the world’s biggest sporting tournament late last year. Thanks to our focus on priority tourism markets, our multi-pronged approach, our tireless efforts and pioneering initiatives across the pillars of our tourism strategy, we have been able to attract visitors from all over the world and highlight the unique blend that Qatar offers to its visitors, which combines sophistication and modernity on the one hand and the authenticity of cultural heritage on the other.”
Over the past months, Qatar Tourism has launched promotional campaigns and initiatives aimed at enhancing the performance of the tourism sector in Qatar and publicizing the growing hospitality offerings that the sector offers to visitors to Qatar. Following the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™™, Qatar Tourism launched its global ‘Qatar More Than a Feeling’ campaign, which highlighted Qatar as the Middle East’s top destinations for frequent travellers and a major destination for family entertainment. The brand’s platform has also witnessed seasonal promotional campaigns since the beginning of 2023, such as the “Winter in Qatar” and “Eid in Qatar” campaigns and other campaigns that attracted all categories of visitors from all over the world through offers Travel and seasonal events.
In addition, Qatar Tourism has strengthened its presence in the tourism and business events sector, promoting the country’s state-of-the-art facilities, including Qatar Airways and the award-winning Hamad International Airport, its integrated transport network, a leading portfolio of convention and exhibition centres, and its keenness to participate in the largest travel and tourism exhibitions hosted by the region and the world.
Building on its track record of hosting major events and conferences, Qatar hosted the Doha Jewellery & Watches Exhibition, the only of its kind bringing brands and customers directly together in the region, the World Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI) Conference, the Middle East’s largest gathering of business event experts, the ninth annual Luxury Wedding Planners Conference, the world’s largest B2B platform for weddings, and many more.
This growth in visitor numbers is also attributable to Qatar Tourism’s growing interest in the cruise sector, with Doha Port, strategically located in the heart of Doha, which has undergone a comprehensive development and renovation, allowing visitors to make the most of their short visit to Doha. During the 2022/23 cruise season (concluded on At the end of April), Qatar Tourism welcomed a group of international cruise ships and cruise ships such as the Costa Tuscany, Aida Kuzma and the first voyage of the luxury yacht Emerald Azuara, while for the first time the ships MSC and Costa Cruises made 7-night cruises across the Gulf region, and 2022 saw Qatar open a new cruise terminal with traditional Arabic architectural designs , as it is located near the most famous tourist attractions in Qatar such as the National Museum of Qatar Souq Waqif and others.
Since the beginning of the year, Qatar Tourism has continued to offer a rich calendar of sporting events, tournaments, concerts and music, including the “Visit Qatar” Freestyle Sailing World Cup, which was a great opportunity for kitesurfing enthusiasts, and Disney on Ice shows that took their audiences young and old on a journey through the “One Hundred Years of Wonders”.
Doha, which has been named the Capital of Arab Tourism this year, will host more sporting events and tournaments including the Geneva International Motor Show Qatar, the Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix and Expo 2023 Doha in October, while hosting the Qatar MotoGP in November.
