Qatar’s tourism scene is on fire, and the numbers prove it. In the first half of 2025, the country welcomed over 2.6 million international visitors, which is a 3% increase compared to last year. It’s clear—Qatar’s tourism sector is thriving, and it’s just getting started!
People Are Coming from Everywhere
What’s exciting is the diversity of visitors flocking to Qatar. GCC countries made up 36% of the visitors, followed by Europe at 26%. Asia and Oceania visitors accounted for 22%, and the Americas and other Arab countries each made up 7%.
It’s great to see that Qatar is now a destination that attracts people from all over the world. And the way people are getting there? Pretty impressive—57% by air, 33% by land, and 9% by sea. Qatar’s multi-access entry strategy is clearly working wonders!
The Economic Impact: Tourism Making Waves
Tourism is making a big dent in Qatar’s economy. In 2024, the tourism sector contributed QR 55 billion (about $15.1 billion) to the GDP, making up 8% of the economy. This was a 14% increase from the previous year, so you can see why tourism is such an essential part of Qatar’s growth plans. The country is well on its way to hitting its goal of raising tourism’s share of GDP to 10-12% by 2030.
Hotel Growth: More People, More Nights
Qatar’s hotels are feeling the love, too. In first half of 2025, hotels in Qatar saw a 71% occupancy rate, a 2% point increase from last year. In total, 5.23 million hotel nights were sold, which is a 7% increase from last year. That means more people are choosing Qatar as their go-to destination.
Clever Campaigns Bringing in Visitors
To keep things rolling, Visit Qatar launched several successful campaigns to draw in international visitors. These include:
- The “Moments Made for You” summer campaign aimed at GCC and global travelers.
- A promotional film with David Beckham, showing off Qatar’s rich heritage, vibrant culture, and modern attractions.
- Expanded stopover promotions in major markets like the UK, USA, South Africa, China, and Australia.
These campaigns aligned with big events like the Qatar Toy Festival (which had 130,000 visitors, a 12% increase from last year), the Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition, and the International Food Festival. And let’s not forget the amazing seasonal attractions, like Ras Abrouq and whale shark tours.
What’s Coming Up: A Full Calendar of Events
The second half of 2025 is shaping up to be just as exciting. Here’s what’s coming up:
- The 2025/2026 Cruise Season launch in November, following a record 87 cruise ship calls and 360,000 passengers in the previous season.
- The T100 Triathlon World Championship Finals in Doha.
- FIFA Arab Cup 2025 and the Grand Prix 2025.
- The Tourism Awards 2025 and the launch of the Michelin Guide Doha 2026.
With so many exciting events on the horizon, it’s clear Qatar is positioning itself as a year-round destination with something for everyone.
Authenticity Meets Modernity
Abdulaziz Ali Al Mawlawi, CEO of Visit Qatar, put it perfectly: “The first half of 2025 shows sustained momentum and growing confidence from global markets. We’ve attracted more visitors through a mix of major events. International campaigns and innovative tourism products that cater to a wide range of interests.”
Qatar is truly blending authentic experiences with modern attractions. Making it a place where everyone—from history buffs to thrill-seekers—can find something to love.
Why This Matters for Event Planners and Businesses
For event planners, businesses, and anyone involved in tourism, this is fantastic news. With more visitors and growing confidence in the country’s tourism offerings, Qatar is becoming an ideal destination for all kinds of events. Whether you’re organizing a global conference, a luxury gala, or a cultural festival, Qatar has the perfect mix of old-world charm and modern attractions to make any event a success.
At BM Events, we are proud to be the best manpower staffing solutions provider in the region. Whether you’re organizing a corporate event, exhibition, or large conference, we ensure that you have the best event staffing agencies to meet your unique needs. As one of the best staffing agencies near me, we specialize in delivering top-notch staffing solutions for events of all sizes. Based in Qatar, we are also recognized as one of the best recruitment agencies in Qatar, offering tailored staffing solutions to match the perfect talent with your event requirements.
Would you be able to find the best staffing agency near me? Contact us today, and let us elevate your next event with the best talent.
