RIYADH: Qatar welcomed 5 million visitors in 2024, surpassing its target of 4.79 million and marking a 25 percent increase in international arrivals compared to the previous year.
The growth underscores the country’s rising prominence as a global tourism hub and highlights several key milestones, including surpassing its annual goal of 8.8 million room nights sold, reaching nearly 10 million room nights to date.
The country’s hotel sector now boasts more than 40,000 keys, reinforcing its capacity to cater to an increasing influx of travelers, according to a press release.
The achievement aligns with Qatar’s National Tourism Sector Strategy 2030, which aims to welcome over 6 million annual visitors by the end of this decade, positioning the country as the Middle East’s fastest-growing tourist destination.
“Surpassing five million visitors is a landmark accomplishment for Qatar, bringing us closer to realizing our vision of positioning the country as one of the world’s fastest-growing, family-friendly premier destinations,” said Saad Bin Ali Al-Kharji, the chairman of Qatar Tourism.
“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,” he added.
The year’s visitor demographics reveal that 41 percent were Gulf Cooperation Council nationals, while 59 percent came from international markets, led by Saudi Arabia, India, the UK, Germany, and the US.
Qatar also recorded 56 percent of arrivals by air, 37 percent by land, and 7 percent by sea.
This comes as tourism traffic in the GCC is expected to rise as countries work to reduce their reliance on oil.
The tourism sector’s contribution to gross domestic product is expected to grow from $130 billion in 2023 to over $340 billion by 2030, exceeding 10 percent of the region’s GDP, according to a report released by Fitch Ratings in July.
The aviation industry will be crucial, with Fitch Ratings forecasting significant growth in passenger traffic, supported by some of the world’s most modern airports, including Dubai International with 87 million passengers, Hamad International in Doha with 45.9 million, and King Abdulaziz International in Jeddah with 42.9 million.
Qatar’s visitor numbers have steadily increased throughout 2024, with notable growth in both the early and late parts of the year.
Major events, such as the AFC Asian Cup in January, the Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix, and the 2024/2025 cruise season, contributed to the surge in arrivals, particularly during the November school holidays when visitor numbers from Saudi Arabia were notably strong.
“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,” Al-Kharji said.
As Qatar continues to attract global travelers, the country remains focused on offering quality experiences and showcasing its cultural heritage.
By inviting visitors to explore its unique landmarks and family-friendly attractions, Qatar is strengthening its position as a top global tourism destination.
Looking ahead, Qatar’s tourism strategy aims to triple its visitor numbers by 2030, while also doubling the tourism sector’s contribution to the country’s GDP, targeting a range of 10-12 percent.
