H.E. Chairman of Qatar Tourism, Saad Bin Ali Al Kharji, announced that the tourism sector contributed QAE55 billion ($15.1 billion) to the national GDP in 2024, accounting for 8 percent of the total economic output, which marks a 14 percent increase compared to 2023.
His Excellency participated in a high-level panel discussion titled “Tourism in Focus” at the fifth edition of the Qatar Economic Forum (QEF) 2025, QNA reported. During this event, he stated that Qatar is on a promising path to fulfilling its Tourism Strategy 2030 goal of contributing 12 percent to GDP, underscoring the sector’s growing significance within the nation’s broader economic diversification strategy.
His Excellency highlighted several achievements from 2024, noting that international visitor arrivals reached 5 million, reflecting a 25 percent year-on-year increase, with in-destination spending totaling nearly QAR40 billion. The hospitality sector also achieved a significant milestone by recording 10 million room nights sold during the year.
As part of the panel, the Chairman emphasized the shifting global travel demand towards lifestyle-driven and purpose-led experiences. These include wellness retreats, cultural immersion, and luxury nature-based getaways. He observed that travelers are increasingly prioritizing experiences such as bespoke accommodations, culinary exploration, and curated cultural activities, rather than traditional material expenditures. Qatar’s strategy aligns with these trends, focusing on six high-potential demand spaces and delivering 54 strategic projects aimed at enhancing product development, regulation, and visitor experiences.
Read more | Qatar Tourism: Five million visitors welcomed in 2024
Opportunities in regional collaboration and investment
The Chairman also addressed the expanding opportunities for regional collaboration, health tourism, and investment. He highlighted joint initiatives with Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi, improved air connectivity with China, and Qatar’s integrated health and wellness offerings. Major development projects, such as the QAR20 billion Simaisma coastal destination and the ongoing expansions at Hamad International Airport, were also outlined, reinforcing Qatar’s position as a premium, sustainable, and competitive global destination.
Al Kharji noted that Qatar ranks among the countries with the highest expenditure on healthcare, dedicating up to 12 percent of its annual budget to the sector. He pointed out that Qatar views this as an opportunity and is collaborating with the Ministry of Public Health to develop a health tourism strategy, with some plans already approved. He added that this initiative aims to attract international visitors to Doha for high-quality healthcare services and the country’s safety, while also promoting the tourism sector through significant health infrastructure investments.
The H.E. Chairman of Qatar Tourism also mentioned that Qatar is preparing to host a series of major international events in the coming years, including the FIFA U-17 World Cup this year, the FIBA Basketball World Cup in 2027, and the Asian Games in 2030.
He emphasized the State of Qatar’s dedication to luxury and sustainability standards, integrating both aspects into every project. Noteworthy examples include the Ras Abu Aboud Resort and the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC), which was the region’s first center to obtain certifications for both sustainability and luxury. Additionally, Msheireb Downtown Doha has been designed to be both eco-friendly and luxurious.
Growth in the travel industry
Chairman and CEO of AccorHotels, Sebastien Bazin, commended Qatar’s vision and ambition in advancing its tourism sector. He remarked that Qatar possesses everything it needs, citing institutions like Qatar Foundation with its universities, hospitals, schools, the iconic Qatar Airways, and Qatar Museums. He stressed that these assets are invaluable and should be showcased to the world.
Bazin noted that the tourism and travel industry has experienced growth of about 3–5 percent over the past 50 years, with demand now outpacing supply due to population growth, economic development, and advancements in transportation. Interestingly, he stated that around 1.6 billion people are now traveling less to Europe and more to the Middle East and Asia-Pacific regions.
He highlighted India as a critical outbound tourism market, predicting that the country could become a game-changer in the global travel and tourism landscape.
