Gaining ground

In the lead-up to 2022’s most anticipated global sporting event, Qatar underwent significant infrastructure development, both for the tournament and in line with the country’s long-term tourism strategy. A suite of fresh, modern and exciting new projects has come to fruition, including eight state-ofthe-art stadiums, a brand-new metro system, the construction of an entirely new cruise terminal, the expansion and beautification of Hamad International Airport and the development of Lusail –Qatar’s smart, future city.

Qatar’s hospitality sector also witnessed significant expansion, with over 50 hotels and resorts opening in 2022 alone. This includes the introduction of renowned international brands to the country’s hospitality offering, including The Ned Doha, Raffles and Fairmont Doha as well as homegrown brands, such as The Outpost at Al Barari, located in the heart of the Inland Sea nature reserve.

A flurry of new attractions also opened across the country, many of which take advantage of Qatar’s naturally beautiful landscape. One such example is West Bay Beach, an extensive project by Qatar Tourism comprising three family-friendly public beaches, each offering a distinctly different look and feel. Similarly, Fuwairit Kite Beach Resort opened its doors in 2022, giving thousands access to Fuwairit’s unmatched wind conditions, clear waters and powdery soft sands. Al Maha Island, located in the heart of Lusail, offers visitors a vibrant and extensive entertainment destination, including Lusail Winter Wonderland, Nammos Beach Club and varied dining districts.

Upcoming attractions in 2023 include the opening of Meryal, the largest water park in the region featuring a jaw-dropping 85-metre water slide, which will be located in one of Qatar’s newest developments, Qetaifan Island North. New five-star hotels in Lusail are also set to contribute to the list of architectural marvels in the city.

Qatar is an appealing destination for GCC citizens and residents, and 2023 has, so far, been no different. Earlier in the year, the celebration of Kuwait National Day and Saudi Founding Day led to a significant increase in arrivals from each nation. Visitors enjoy Qatar’s range of entertainment that is fit for the whole family. In addition, the country’s recent and ongoing expansion of its hotels and tourism assets provides families from the region with new reasons to visit, as

they realise with each trip that there is more to see.

These efforts contribute to Qatar’s national tourism strategy, which aims for international visitor figures to triple from current numbers to more than six million visitors a year by 2030. At the same time, employment in the sector is set to double, destination spend is set to increase by three to four times and the contribution of the sector to GDP will grow to 12 per cent.

To fulfil this vision, Qatar Tourism has identified six key areas that map global traveller needs to Qatar’s strongest tourism offering, 15 priority markets and opportunities that segment visitors best suited for point-to-point or stopover travel.

In the meanwhile, Qatar’s tourism sector remains active and dynamic. The country boasts an exciting calendar of world-class events throughout 2023.

Earlier this year, Qatar concluded numerous events that build on the country’s sporting legacy, including the Qatar GKA Freestyle Kite World Cup 2023, Qatar TotalEnergies Open and the Qatar ExxonMobil Open. Qatar also held the 19th edition of the Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition, the 12th edition of the Qatar International Food Festival and numerous concerts featuring acclaimed regional and international artists. Looking ahead, Qatar is gearing up for the 2023 Moto GP World Championship, the 2023 AFC Asian Cup and the Geneva International Motor Show Qatar, which coincides with the Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix 2023.

Paired with a thriving cruise tourism sector, award-winning marketing campaigns, growth in travel and connectivity and a host of additional drivers, Qatar is well-poised to achieve its vision of becoming the region’s fastest-growing tourism destination.