In recent years, Qatar has emerged as a frontrunner in the global tourism landscape, positioning itself as the ultimate destination for travellers seeking unparalleled experiences. With initiatives like the ‘Stopover flight packages in Qatar’ introduced recently by Visit Qatar and Qatar Airways, the nation is poised to elevate its status further and attract even more visitors from around the globe.
The collaboration between Visit Qatar and Qatar Airways underscores a concerted effort to showcase Qatar’s rich cultural heritage, diverse attractions, and modern infrastructure to travellers transiting through Doha. H E Saad bin Ali Al Kharji, Chairman of Qatar Tourism, rightly pointed out that these stopover packages offer travellers the chance to expand their horizons and explore into the myriad experiences Qatar has to offer, even with limited time.
The success of these initiatives is evident in the impressive growth witnessed by Qatar’s tourism sector. In 2023, the number of travellers and hotel room nights for stopovers more than doubled compared to the previous year, propelled by Qatar Airways’ extensive network of over 177 international destinations. Notably, January 2024 marked a historic milestone with over 700,000 visitors, setting a new monthly record and showcasing the sector’s exponential growth trajectory. With ambitions to welcome six million annual visitors by 2030, Qatar is steadfast in its commitment to becoming a top-tier global tourism hub.
Crucially, Qatar’s tourism strategy aligns with its broader economic diversification goals, as outlined in the 3rd National Development Strategy 2024-2030. Recognising tourism as a key driver of sustainable economic growth, the strategy emphasises enhancing business event tourism, expanding meeting and exhibition activities, and leveraging the country’s enhanced infrastructure to create unparalleled visitor experiences.
Qatar’s stellar performance on the global tourism stage has been further affirmed by accolades such as being the best-performing destination globally in terms of tourist arrivals, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) World Tourism Barometer. This recognition underscores Qatar’s resilience and adaptability in navigating the challenges posed by the pandemic, emerging as a beacon of recovery and growth in the tourism sector.
Moreover, the extension of initiatives like Hayya for existing cardholders and the relaunch of the Hayya platform have also contributed to bolstering Qatar’s tourism appeal, making it easier and more convenient for travellers to visit. With visitors hailing from diverse corners of the globe, Qatar’s allure transcends borders, offering a truly immersive and enriching experience for all who venture to its shores.
