Tourism
From The Report: Qatar 2026
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Tourism has been a major economic driver in Qatar since it was designated as a key industry under the Qatar National Vision (QNV) 2030 development strategy. Following the launch of QNV 2030, the government has invested heavily in the sector and encouraged greater private sector participation. The 2022 FIFA World Cup significantly raised Qatar’s international profile as a tourism destination, and this momentum has been sustained through continued investment in leisure, culture and sports offerings. While regional geopolitical tensions linked to the 2026 Iran conflict introduced short-term uncertainty for travel demand across the Gulf, Qatar’s tourism strategy has remained focused on long-term market diversification, infrastructure expansion and destination resilience. The government continues to position Qatar as a diversified international tourism destination; meanwhile private investment in large-scale hotels, resorts and leisure developments has played a key role in expanding capacity to accommodate rising visitor numbers.

This chapter contains an interview with Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, General Manager, Katara Cultural Village.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Destination development: Investment in infrastructure, accommodation and cultural assets is enhancing competitiveness and attracting new visitor markets
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Tourism has been a major economic driver in Qatar since it was designated as a key industry under the Qatar National Vision (QNV) 2030 development strategy. Following the launch of QNV 2030, the government has invested heavily in the sector and encouraged greater private sector participation. The 2022 FIFA World Cup significantly raised Qatar’s international profile as a tourism destination, and this momentum has been sustained through continued investment in leisure, culture and sports offerings.…

Interview

Fostering creativity: Khaled bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, General Manager of the Cultural Village Foundation – Katara, on sustaining engagement in the arts
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Interview: Khaled bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, General Manager, Cultural Village Foundation – Katara, on sustaining engagement in the arts How can cultural districts translate Qatar’s visitor momentum into higher year-round attendance at performances, exhibitions and festivals? AL SULAITI: One of the key challenges facing cultural districts worldwide is converting visitor interest into sustained cultural engagement. This requires culture to be embedded in everyday life rather than concentrated around…

Analysis

Shifting dynamics: As governments look to boost arrivals, many strategies focus on sustainable solutions and support for small businesses
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Global tourism has entered a new phase of growth, with destinations competing on connectivity, visitor experience and sustainability rather than simply rebuilding visitor numbers. International arrivals exceeded pre-pandemic levels in 2024, supported by consumer demand, air connectivity and strong spending across leisure and business travel markets. At the same time, geopolitical uncertainty, inflationary pressures and evolving consumer preferences are encouraging destinations to diversify source…