Events such as the Qatar Airways-sponsored Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix are part of the reason for the uptick in tourists
Qatar Tourism announces a significant achievementwith visitor numbers exceeding 5 million in 2024, representing a 25% increasefrom 2023 and establishing Qatar as a premier global tourism destination.
The Chairman of Qatar Tourism, Mr. Saad Bin Ali AlKharji states: "Surpassing five million visitors is a landmarkaccomplishment for Qatar, bringing us closer to realizing our vision ofpositioning the country as one of the world's fastest-growing, family-friendlypremier destinations. This 25% year-on-year growth, alongside the exceptionalsales of 10 million room nights, underscores the effectiveness of our strategyand the collaborative efforts of our stakeholders. This milestone is not only acelebration of our accomplishments but also a foundation for future growth aswe continue to deliver unique experiences and service excellence across all thetourism touch points for every visitor."
The Chairman of Qatar Tourism, Mr. Saad Bin Ali Al Kharji
Al Kharji adds, "Our tourism goals areambitious but achievable. Between 2022 and 2030, we aim to nearly triple ourvisitor numbers and to at least double the tourism in-destination spend. Wealso aim to increase total tourism contribution to GDP to 10-12%."
The visitor breakdown shows GCC nationalscomprising 41% of arrivals, with international markets accounting for 59%. Majorsource markets including Saudi Arabia, India, UK, Germany and USA showedsignificant growth. Qatar surpassed its 4.79 million visitor target andachieved nearly 10 million room nights sold, exceeding the 8.8 million goal.
Transportation statistics for 2024 show 56% ofvisitors arriving by air, 37% by land and 7% by sea. The hospitality sector nowboasts over 40,000 hotel keys.
Peak visitor periods occurred at the start and endof 2024, with the AFC Asian Cup in January setting a strong foundation. The yearconcluded with a successful 2024/2025 cruise season, the Formula 1 Qatar GrandPrix and record Saudi Arabian visitors during November school holidays.
