Qatar ranks first in tourism growth in the region

Doha, Qatar: Qatar has emerged as the regional leader in tourism growth, recording the highest increase in visitor room nights across the Gulf. As par...

Doha, Qatar: Qatar has emerged as the regional leader in tourism growth, recording the highest increase in visitor room nights across the Gulf. As part of its strategy to sustain this momentum, the country is developing a series of beachfront developments to enhance it as a premium leisure destination while reinforcing its focus on quality, extended stays, and economic impact, noted Saad bin Ali Al Kharji, Chairman of Qatar Tourism.

Speaking at the Qatar Economic Forum, he stressed that the country is shifting its tourism strategy to focus on high-impact metrics and longer visitor stays.

“In 2024, we reached five million visitors, which is a 25 percent increase from 2023. But more importantly, we exceeded 10 million room nights for the first time. This gives us a clearer picture of economic impact,” said Al Kharji.

Qatar currently ranks first in the region for room night growth, outpacing tourism giants. “We’ve seen a 22 percent growth in room nights ahead of Dubai and Saudi Arabia. Abu Dhabi and Kuwait follow with 10 percent and 8 percent, respectively,” he noted.

Al Kharji emphasised that length of stay is a key focus. He said, “We want tourists to stay longer in Doha to enjoy the sun, sea, adventure, and quality family time. It’s about offering more than just a quick visit.”