In 2024, Qatar welcomed 5 million visitors, exceeding its target of 4.79 million and representing a 25 per cent increase in international arrivals compared to the previous year.
This growth highlights Qatar’s rising status as a global tourism hub and includes several significant milestones. Notably, the country surpassed its annual target of 8.8 million room nights sold, reaching nearly 10 million room nights to date.
As stated in a press release, the hotel sector in Qatar now features more than 40,000 rooms, enhancing its ability to accommodate the increasing number of travellers.
This achievement is in line with Qatar’s National Tourism Sector Strategy 2030, which aims to attract over 6 million annual visitors by the end of this decade, positioning the country as the fastest-growing tourist destination in the Middle East.
Qatar Tourism Chairman Saad Bin Ali Al-Kharji said, “Surpassing five million visitors is a landmark accomplishment for Qatar, bringing us closer to realising our vision of positioning the country as one of the world’s fastest-growing, family-friendly premier destinations. This milestone is not only a celebration of our accomplishments but also a foundation for future growth as we continue to deliver unique experiences and service excellence across all the tourism touch points for every visitor.”
The visitor demographics for this year show that 41% of arrivals were nationals from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), while 59% came from international markets. The leading countries contributing to international arrivals included Saudi Arabia, India, the UK, Germany, and the US.
In terms of travel methods, Qatar recorded that 56% of visitors arrived by air, 37% by land, and 7% by sea.
This increase in tourism traffic in the GCC is expected as the countries aim to reduce their reliance on oil. According to a report released by Fitch Ratings in July, the tourism sector’s contribution to the gross domestic product (GDP) is projected to grow from $130 billion in 2023 to over $340 billion by 2030, surpassing 10% of the region’s GDP.
The aviation industry will play a crucial role, with Fitch Ratings forecasting significant growth in passenger traffic. This expansion will be supported by some of the world’s most modern airports, including Dubai International Airport with 87 million passengers, Hamad International Airport in Doha with 45.9 million passengers, and King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah with 42.9 million passengers.
Visitor numbers in Qatar have steadily increased throughout 2024, with significant growth observed in both the early and late parts of the year.
Key events, such as the AFC Asian Cup in January, the Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix, and the 2024/2025 cruise season, played a crucial role in driving this surge in arrivals. Notably, during the November school holidays, there was a marked increase in visitors from Saudi Arabia.
“Our tourism goals are ambitious but achievable. Between 2022 and 2030, we aim to nearly triple our visitor numbers and to at least double the tourism in-destination spend,” Saad Bin Ali Al-Kharji noted.
As Qatar continues to attract global travellers, the country is committed to providing quality experiences and showcasing its rich cultural heritage.
By encouraging visitors to explore its unique landmarks and family-friendly attractions, Qatar is enhancing its status as a premier global tourism destination.
Looking forward, Qatar’s tourism strategy aims to triple its number of visitors by 2030 and to double the tourism sector’s contribution to the country’s GDP, targeting a range of 10 to 12 per cent.