Tourism, Culture & Sport
From The Report: Qatar 2025
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Qatar’s tourism sector has emerged as one of the country’s most dynamic drivers of non-hydrocarbons-based growth, building steadily on the visibility and global exposure generated by the 2022 FIFA World Cup. In 2024 visitor numbers rose by 25% to reach 5.1m, underlining the sector’s post-tournament draw and growing international appeal. Led by Qatar Tourism, the government continues to prioritise the sector as a key contributor to economic diversification, in alignment with Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Third National Development Strategy 2024-30. Both of these strategy blueprints set a target of 6m annual visitors and a 12% GDP contribution from tourism by 2030.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Prime destination: Visitor numbers are up as new offerings and emerging segments diversify source markets and attract investment
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Qatar’s tourism sector has emerged as one of the country’s most dynamic drivers of non-hydrocarbons-based growth, building steadily on the visibility and global exposure generated by the 2022 FIFA World Cup. In 2024 visitor numbers rose by 25% to reach 5.1m, underlining the sector’s post-tournament draw and growing international appeal. Led by Qatar Tourism, the government continues to prioritise the sector as a key contributor to economic diversification, in alignment with Qatar National Vision (QNV) 2030 and the Third National Development Strategy 2024-30 (NDS-3). Both of these strategy blueprints set a target of 6m-7m annual visitors…

Analysis

Home run: Sport increasingly central to tourism development programmes
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The sports industry has been positioned as a key sector in Qatar National Vision 2030, identified as a key pillar of economic diversification. In support of this objective, Qatar has made substantial investment in sports infrastructure, technology, talent development and high-profile international events. The 2022 FIFA World Cup marked a pivotal moment in this regard, elevating Qatar’s profile on the global stage and highlighting its strategic use of sports to enhance visibility. The tournament was accompanied by large-scale infrastructure projects, including advanced stadiums, upgraded transport systems, expanded hospitality offerings and…

Analysis

Unlocking opportunities: Emerging markets leverage advanced technology to ensure sustainable growth of the tourism sector
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As emerging markets develop new attractions and tap into new visitor source markets, they are leveraging technology and sustainable development in line with emissions targets. According to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), travel demand is expected to generate 126m employment opportunities worldwide by 2032, with more than 60% of these jobs in the Asia-Pacific region. The lifting of travel restrictions in China and Japan announced at the end of 2022 will likely fuel an increase in activity in the region. South-east Asia in particular is set to benefit from an uptick in demand from China, which was the world’s largest outbound tourism…

Interview

Global attraction: Amro Al Hamad, Executive Director, Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation, on the social and economic benefits that result from hosting major events
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Interview: Amro Al Hamad, Executive Director, Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation, on the social and economic benefits that result from hosting major events To what extent can major global sports events contribute to economic development? AMRO AL HAMAD: Major international sports events directly and substantially impact Qatar’s economic development. These events bring in visitors who spend on accommodation, flights, dining and retail, creating a multiplier effect across the economy. It is not…