Qatar welcomes 4 million visitors, a five-year high

Qatar welcomes 4 million visitors

Qatar has achieved a milestone by welcoming over four million visitors, surpassing the annual visitor numbers of the last five years. The announcement by Qatar Tourism underscores the positive impact of the upcoming FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and the country's continuous efforts to boost its tourism sector.

Earlier this year, Qatar introduced the Hayya platform, streamlining visa processes for travelers requiring entry visas. This initiative complements Qatar's open travel policies, allowing visa on arrival for citizens of 95 countries. The combination of a year-long calendar of events and compelling marketing campaigns has contributed to the significant increase in tourism figures.

Chairman of Qatar Tourism, His Excellency Saad Bin Ali Al Kharji, emphasized Qatar's global appeal as a tourism destination, citing expanded infrastructure, safety, and authentic Arabian hospitality. The diverse tourism offerings, including 500 km of pristine coastline, world-class museums, and cultural destinations, make Qatar an attractive and customizable holiday destination.

Leading the tourism figures since the beginning of 2023 are visitors from Saudi Arabia (25.3% of total international arrivals), followed by India (10.4%), Germany (4.1%), the UK (3.9%), and Kuwait (3.5%). Air travel remains the preferred mode of arrival for 85% of visitors, followed by land (14%) and sea (1%).

In October of the previous year, Qatar hosted the first international edition of the renowned Geneva International Motor Show, attracting 1,000 journalists and 180,000 visitors over 10 days. The 2023/24 cruise season, launched in the same month, welcomed 81 cruises and 350,000 passengers, surpassing the previous season's 54 cruises and 253,191 visitors.

Looking ahead to 2024, Qatar is poised to host over 80 unique events, including sports championships, cultural events, exhibitions, shopping festivals, and international summits. Notable events include the AFC Asian Cup, Shop Qatar, Doha Jewellery and Exhibition (DJWE), Katara International Arabian Horse Festival, Annual Qatar Economic Forum, Formula 1 Grand Prix 2024, Autonomous e-mobility Forum, and the world's largest technology conference, Web Summit. The continuous developments in Qatar's tourism sector are expected to create further opportunities for growth.