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.
Structure & Oversight
Qatar Tourism (QT) is the government agency that oversees the development, regulation and promotion of the tourism sector in Qatar, aligning sectoral initiatives with objectives outlined in QNV 2030 and the Third National Development Strategy 2024-30 (NDS-3). In recent years, QT has focused on promoting the country as a tourist destination in both regional and international markets, and building a broader array of visitor source markets. The agency has also worked to attract greater private investment in Qatar’s tourism sector, supported by the launch of Qatar’s 2020 public-private partnership (PPP) law. The government launched Visit Qatar in 2021 and later expanded it to serve as the primary promotional entity for international tourism. Recent campaigns such as Surprise Yourself and Qatar Stopover have helped in attracting new tourist segments.
The Ministry of Culture (MoC) oversees the promotion of Qatar’s cultural offerings and major sports events. Qatar Museums supports the MoC in this role as the country’s pre-eminent institution for art and culture, responsible for preserving and expanding Qatar’s cultural offerings and historical sites. Tourism sector policy is shaped by the overarching national objectives of QNV 2030 and NDS-3, which aim to transform tourism into a key economic driver and help diversify Qatar’s economy beyond dependence on hydrocarbons. QNV 2030 aims for tourism to contribute 10-12% to GDP by 2030. In October 2024, QT launched a new tourism roadmap to support the sector’s economic growth. In 2014, Qatar announced plans to invest $45m in tourism infrastructure by 2030, aiming to establish the country as an international tourist destination and attract greater private funding into the sector.
In addition to promoting a broader range of tourism offerings such as sports and cultural events, the government is investing heavily in a digital transformation to promote Qatar as a tourist destination and streamline the visitor experience. In November 2025, the Ministry of Communications and IT and QT announced the launch of the Tourism Digital Transformation Roadmap at the Mobile World Congress 2025 held in Doha. The roadmap introduced a new model of national strategic partnerships, with over 39 strategic digital initiatives ranging from next-generation visitor-experience platforms to artificial intelligence (AI)-powered analytics. The move supports the aim of establishing a competitive digital economy in Qatar. The establishment of the Tourism Digital Transformation Office will support the digitalisation process and coordination efforts.
Meanwhile, the 2026 launch of the Integrated Visitor Application, which will work in conjunction with the Visit Qatar platform, will help facilitate the visitor journey. This in turn builds on the launch of the Hayya electronic visa platform in 2022, which offers visitors five types of electronic visas to facilitate arrival. Between 2023 and 2025, that platform processed 2m applications overall, according to QT figures.
Size & Performance
The tourism sector contributed QR55bn ($15.1bn) to GDP in 2024, accounting for around 8% of the total and marking a 14% increase over 2023, according to QT figures. This growth reflects the implementation of a robust tourism strategy delivered through collaboration between QT and the Visit Qatar promotional arm. In parallel, international visitor spending across the Middle East rose by 7.8% between 2023 and 2024, reaching $172.2bn and exceeding pre-pandemic levels, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council. In Qatar, international visitor spending in 2024 surpassed 2019 levels by 54.5% and was forecast to reach $26.1bn, placing the country in 19th position globally in terms of international tourism receipts.
Visitor Numbers & Source Markets
Qatar welcomed 5.1m international visitors in 2025, according to QT figures, marking an annual increase of 3.7%. The GCC was the largest source market, accounting for 35% of total arrivals, followed by Europe at 25%. Of total visitors, 61% arrived by air, 32% by land, and 7% by sea, reflecting the success of the country’s multi-access strategy, aimed at increasing arrivals via diversified transport modes. Growth during this period was supported by sustained public and private investment in tourism infrastructure, including the recent expansion of Hamad International Airport (HIA). The strong performance reflected continued efforts to strengthen Qatar’s accessibility and enhance capacity. The success of Qatar’s strategy to develop new source markets is evident in the growth of arrivals from Australia and China, which increased by 31% and 37%, respectively, in the first nine months of 2025. While intra-GCC travel remains central to Qatar’s visitor base, tourism authorities and operators have continued efforts to reduce reliance on regional demand and support longer-term market diversification, especially given the periodic travel disruption and geopolitical uncertainty in 2026.
These efforts have been reinforced through coordinated marketing and events strategies. QT and Visit Qatar worked collaboratively to diversify the country’s visitor source markets through 35 global strategic partnerships and conducted 95 integrated marketing campaigns across 19 international markets in 2025. The country also hosted more than 600 events, attracting over 1m attendees to meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) activities, reinforcing Qatar’s position as a regional events destination. Although some regional events calendars faced postponements, revised scheduling or weaker attendance expectations amid heightened geopolitical uncertainty in 2026, Qatar’s established events infrastructure and aviation connectivity continue to support its position as a regional meetings and events destination into 2027.
The strength of Qatar’s tourism offering was further recognised when Doha was designated the GCC Tourism Capital for 2026 by the tourism ministers of the six GCC member states. This recognition came against the backdrop of the broader regional geopolitical tensions in 2026, which have contributed to volatility in travel sentiment across the Middle East. The award highlights the continuing importance of regional tourism ties, with GCC visitors accounting for around 35% of arrivals to Qatar in 2025, underscoring the stabilising role of intra-regional travel flows. Although disruptions stemming from the 2026 Iran conflict – including temporary airspace restrictions, event rescheduling and softer regional travel sentiment – introduced near-term uncertainty for visitor growth across the Gulf economies, Qatar’s diversified source markets, established events infrastructure and position as a regional transit hub are expected to support medium-term resilience. Building off the country’s recent achievements in the tourism sector, Qatari tourism officials are continuing to deepen coordination at local, regional and global levels, coordinating with their counterparts to expand partnerships and participate in major global forums.
Air Travel
The growth in Qatar’s tourism sector has been supported by its strategic location between Asia, Africa and Europe. Through sustained public investment and an increased openness to private-sector participation, the government has expanded its transport infrastructure, with a particular focus on aviation, even though this is set to be affected due to the conflict throughout 2026. Government-run Qatar Airways flies to over 170 destinations from Doha as of mid-2026, with HIA serving as its hub. The airline was named the World’s Best Airline for the ninth time and was recognised as the best airline in the Middle East for the 13th time at the Skytrax World Airline Awards 2025. In 2025, Qatar Airways expanded its network with additional routes including Aleppo in Syria and the Red Sea Airport in Saudi Arabia.
Despite continued network expansion, aviation operators across the Gulf faced intermittent disruption in 2026 linked to the Iran conflict, including temporary airspace closures and higher operating costs. As one of the region’s largest transit carriers, Qatar Airways experienced periodic scheduling adjustments, although Qatar’s position as a major aviation hub and the airline’s rapid operational flexibility helped maintain connectivity across most international routes.
HIA has undergone a significant expansion programme in response to rising passenger traffic and growing regional competition. Once the second phase of the development programme is complete, the airport is expected to handle up to 70m passengers annually. HIA retained the title of best airport in the Middle East for the 11th consecutive year at the 2025 Skytrax World Airport Awards. The airport had a record year in 2025, serving 54.3m passengers, up 3% from 2024. Aircraft movements rose by 1% to 282,975 in 2025, while air cargo volumes reached 2.6m tonnes. HIA now works with 57 airline partners, including new partnerships with Virgin Australia, Georgian Airways and Smartwings. Looking ahead, sector stakeholders expect short-term passenger demand volatility linked to geopolitical tensions and travel advisories affecting parts of the Middle East. Nevertheless, HIA’s expanded capacity and Qatar Airways’ broad global route network position the country to benefit from a strong recovery in regional mobility once conditions stabilise further.
Cruise Tourism
As part of its tourism growth strategy, QT aims to increase cruise tourism numbers and strengthen the country’s position as a regional destination. The sector has expanded rapidly over the last decade, supported by QT’s participation in international cruise and travel exhibitions, as well as partnerships with cruise operators and industry stakeholders.
Following a record 2024-25 season with 87 ship calls and 360,000 visitors, the 2025-26 cruise season welcomed 49 ship calls and over 200,000 visitors before ending early in April due to the regional security situation stemming from the Iran conflict. Prior to the disruption, around 73 cruise calls had been projected, with operators across the Gulf adjusting itineraries in response to evolving conditions. Despite the shortened window, visitor numbers remained substantial.
Hotel Infrastructure
The hospitality sector has experienced strong growth in recent years, following significant investment in hotel capacity ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The international sports event accelerated the development of major tourism assets, including Katara Towers, Hilton Salwa Resort and Qetaifan Island, redefining Qatar’s tourism profile.
In 2025, the sector sold 10.8m room nights, an increase of 8.6% from 2024, while accommodation revenue reached QR8.3bn ($2.3bn), up 12%. Qatar has focused its tourism strategy on longer visitor stays and higher-value tourism segments. Although occupancy and revenue indicators remained strong, hospitality operators entered 2026 amid greater uncertainty regarding regional leisure travel patterns, as a result of the Iran conflict and associated travel advisories.
Premium accommodation continues to dominate the market. Five-star properties accounted for 49% of Qatar’s 41,700 hotel rooms, while hotel apartments represented approximately 24% of the total accommodation capacity as of mid-2025. Revenue per available room stood at QR300 ($82.34) in the first half of 2025 and the average rate stood at QR429 ($117.75), demonstrating a sustained increase over pre-World Cup levels.
Higher levels of private investment have supported the development of a diverse hotel stock, ranging from branded hotels and apartment complexes to private islands. A 2025 KPMG report highlighted further opportunities to diversify tourism offerings through tailored staycation packages and experiential tourism products.
Island Development
In 2025, QT and the Public Works Authority (Ashghal) invited private investors to bid on the development of Doha’s West Bay five beachfront plots and the iconic Al Safliya Island, under a PPP model. The projects form part of QT’s Asset Masterplan, which seeks to expand hospitality infrastructure and support Qatar’s long-term tourism objectives under QNV 2030. The developments are intended to attract additional private capital, further diversify tourism offerings, and to create new leisure and hospitality destinations along Qatar’s coastline.
Al Safliya Island is expected to be positioned as a distinct tourism destination focused on niche offerings such as wellness and cultural experiences. The development would complement existing destinations, including Banana Island, off the coast of Doha, and Qetaifan Island North, part of Lusail City, which have expanded Qatar’s portfolio of leisure and hospitality in recent years, strengthening its position as a tourism centre.
Banana Island, a crescent-shaped island off the coast of Doha developed by Power International Holding and operated by Anantara, covers 13 ha and features a luxury resort with a beach, spa and dining options. Qetaifan Projects, established in 2017 and owned by Katara Hospitality, has also developed a portfolio of tourism infrastructure in Qatar. Its flagship development, Qetaifan Island North, is integrated into Lusail City and includes entertainment, hospitality and residential components, including a waterpark.
International hotel brands have expanded significantly in Qatar in recent years, particularly in the lead-up to and following the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Developments such as Hilton Salwa Beach Resort and Villas, which opened in 2021, include 84 beach villas, as well as Qatar’s largest theme park.
Investment Pipeline
Investment momentum has continued beyond the World Cup period, supported by government spending, investor-friendly policies and streamlined licensing procedures. International hotel operators and developers have announced several major new projects aimed at further expanding Qatar’s hospitality and leisure infrastructure.
In 2026, IHG Hotels and Resorts announced plans to open the first Kimpton hotel in Qatar, the Kimpton Al Rowda Doha, a 283-room luxury hotel in the centre of the capital. Rixos Hotels also announced plans to expand beyond Europe and Central Asia with a $3bn investment in Doha that will include hospitality, residential, retail and entertainment components. Among the largest planned developments is the $5.5bn Simaisma project, being developed by Qatari Diar and Dar Global, a partner of the Trump Organisation. The project will feature a 7-km long entertainment district with a theme park, golf course, marina and hospitality facilities, and is expected to be one of the region’s most significant developments. The annual Qatar Tourism Awards support service quality and industry development by recognising excellence across the hospitality sector. Established in 2023, the awards cover accommodation, destination management and tourism experience categories, aligning with Qatar’s broader tourism development objectives.
Sports Tourism
Qatar’s role as host of the 2022 FIFA World Cup set the tone for the decade, with the country continuing to host major international sporting events and strengthening its position as a leading sports tourism destination. Significant public investment in stadia and infrastructure – such as Lusail Stadium, Stadium 974 and the Formula 1 International Circuit track – has supported growth of the sector. Since the World Cup, Qatar has hosted a range of other international competitions, including the inaugural T100 Triathlon World Championship finals in Doha in 2025, the 2025 FIFA Arab Cup Qatar and the F1 Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix 2025. At the same time, regional geopolitical tensions linked to the Iran conflict led to occasional disruption in the first half of 2026, with some sports events and travel-linked programming postponed or reassessed due to airspace restrictions, security considerations and weaker short-term international travel confidence.
The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) announced the 2026 sports calendar in December 2025, featuring 83 championships, including 16 world championships, 10 Asian championships and three GCC competitions. Looking ahead, the hosting of the 2027 Basketball World Cup will further strengthen Qatar’s sports profile, alongside its bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games. At the time the bid was announced, QOC officials told local media that the country already had about 95% of the necessary sports infrastructure in place to hold the Olympic Games, highlighting the lasting impact of the World Cup. Visit Qatar has also established several cross-sector partnerships to promote sports tourism, including a collaboration with Qatar Airways to launch travel packages for international fans at sports events.
Niche Markets
Several niche tourism segments have emerged as QT and Visit Qatar work to attract new visitor profiles. Ecotourism is gaining global momentum, and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change is developing an integrated strategy for the segment. Wildlife reserves account for around 27% of Qatar’s terrestrial area, comprising 12 protected reserves. The country also has approximately 1273 gardens collectively supporting diverse flora and fauna.
Qatar’s 563-km coastline includes ecologically significant habitats, although only 2.5% of marine areas are currently protected. The country aims to increase this figure to 30%, including sites such as Khor Al Udeid (Inland Sea) Reserve and Al Thakhira Reserve, which is home to Qatar’s oldest mangrove forest.
The MICE sector continues to expand as Qatar strengthens its position as a regional and global events centre. Visit Qatar participated in IBTM World 2025, one of the world’s leading MICE trade shows, held in Barcelona, to foster partnerships across key global markets. Major investment in venues such as the Qatar National Convention Centre and the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre enabled Qatar to host large-scale international conferences, exhibitions and summits. Doha now competes with established regional destinations for major business events.
MICE tourism and business events generated an estimated QR7.2bn ($2bn) in revenue in Qatar’s tourism sector in 2023 and added approximately QR12bn ($3.3bn) to the GDP. Business tourism spending totalled roughly QR8.5bn ($2.3bn) in the same year. This performance is further supported by Qatar Airways, which is used by business travellers globally, winning the Middle East’s Best MICE Airline award in 2023 and 2024. The airline also launched QMICE, a one-stop digital travel solution to make it easier for its MICE clients to organise travel.
Marketing
Visit Qatar is the marketing branch of the country’s tourism sector, responsible for developing campaigns to promote local, regional and international tourism in Qatar. Its Surprise Yourself campaign targets families, couples and groups of friends, urging them to discover Qatar’s attractions and tourism offerings. Meanwhile, the Qatar Stopover campaign encourages travellers to transit through Qatar en route to their final destination. In 2025, Visit Qatar expanded its Stopover campaign to focus on priority markets, including the UK, the US, South Africa, China and Australia.
The launch of Visit Qatar’s 2025 Moments Made for You campaign further highlighted the range of experiences available during Qatar’s summer season. A promotional film starring UK footballer David Beckham, showcased the country’s tourism offering, spanning heritage, culture and natural sites. Alongside international campaigns, Visit Qatar has also focused on user-generated and domestic content initiatives, such as its Qatar Through Your Lens competition.
Regional cooperation remains a key component of QT’s strategy. Qatar and Saudi Arabia signed a memorandum of understanding to deepen cooperation and exchange expertise in tourism development during the UN Tourism General Assembly in Riyadh, with a focus on joint initiatives and sustainable growth. Saudi visitors to Qatar accounted for around one-quarter of all tourist arrivals in 2024, highlighting the importance of regional source markets. However, heightened regional tensions in 2026 have underscored both the importance and vulnerability of regional tourism integration, with policymakers increasingly focused on maintaining travel continuity and rebuilding visitor confidence.
Culture
As part of QNV 2030, the government aims to promote Qatar not only as a sun-and-sand destination but also as a major cultural destination with a rich history. There is a range of offerings for visitors, including the as the Greek-Roman amphitheatre in Katara Cultural Village, which overlooks the sea and blends Islamic and ancient Greek architectural elements while hosting concerts and performances. In Doha, areas such as the Mina District at the Old Doha Port and Waqif historic marketplace attract visitors to the city. Travellers also visit the Fanar Islamic Cultural Centre, the Qatar National Library, the Museum of Islamic Art, and the National Museum of Qatar.
The government aims to position Qatar as an example of sustainable development and tourism through projects such as Msheireb, described as the world’s first sustainable downtown regeneration project. Qatar Museums plays a key role in developing and promoting Qatar’s cultural assets, including museums and heritage sites. According to its mission, Qatar Museums seeks to bridge QNV 2030 objectives with global policy priorities, empower youth and shape innovative pathways for cultural sustainability. Its participation in MONDIACULT 2025, the world’s largest cultural policy conference, held in Barcelona, highlights its role in advancing Qatar’s international cultural cooperation strategy.
The launch of Qatar Museums’ digital initiative, QM AI Art Tour, will provide remote access to Qatar’s museums and heritage sites, offering an AI-powered cultural experience. The initiative aligns with the goals of the Qatar’s Digital Agenda 2030 and aims to broaden access to Qatar’s cultural offerings.
Outlook
A focused tourism strategy aligned with the overarching QNV 2030 development plan has supported the rapid expansion Qatar’s tourism sector in recent years. This growth has been underpinned by sustained public investment in infrastructure, improving connectivity and increasing private sector participation across hospitality, leisure, MICE, sports and culture. While the government continues to position Qatar as a diversified international tourism destination, private investment in large-scale hotels, resorts and leisure developments has played a key role in expanding capacity to accommodate rising visitor numbers. Although the 2026 regional geopolitical environment introduced short-term uncertainty through temporary airspace disruption, travel advisories, softer tourism sentiment and selected event postponements, Qatar’s diversified source-market strategy, strong transport infrastructure and established role as a global transit centre are expected to support resilience. Over the longer term, continued investment in tourism infrastructure, digital visitor services, cultural assets and regional cooperation is expected to sustain momentum and strengthen Qatar’s position as an international tourism destination.
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