Qatar Tourism concluded the year 2024 with notable achievements that reflect its growing influence and leading position on the global tourism scene. The total number of visitors during the year reached 5,076,640 visitors, representing a noticeable increase of 25% compared to 2023, which recorded 4,046,281 visitors. December alone witnessed a strong performance with 594,079 visitors, an increase of 14.6% compared to the same month last year. This growth was led by an increase of 48,000 air passengers and 35,000 land visitors, offsetting a slight decrease of 7,000 cruise ship visitors compared to 2023. Visitor numbers in December were also up by 74,000 compared to November 2024.
The Qatari hospitality sector achieved a new record by exceeding the barrier of 10 million hotel nights for the first time. As of December 30, 2024, the total number has reached 10 million hotel nights, with the last day of the year expected to boost this number by adding another 35,000 hotel nights.
Tourism achievements and strategic growth
In 2024, Qatar Tourism exceeded its annual target of 4.79 million visitors, achieving 5.08 million visitors. This growth was fueled by an exceptional performance in the hospitality sector, with nearly 10 million hotel nights recorded, exceeding the target of 8.8 million nights.
Global celebration and digital transformation
Qatar Tourism was recognized for its innovation and excellence by receiving three prestigious awards: the Microsoft Artificial Intelligence Excellence Award for the “Visit Qatar GenAI Chatbot Trip Concierge” application, the Gold Award for Best Application (Mobile/Tablet), and the Silver Award for Best Web Platform in Middle East and North Africa Digital Awards.
Participation in international conferences
His Excellency Mr. Saad bin Ali Al Kharji, Chairman of Qatar Tourism and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Visit Qatar, said: “Crossing the barrier of five million visitors in 2024 is a prominent achievement that confirms Qatar’s transformation into one of the most prominent global family-friendly destinations, and this growth, which came by 25% over On an annual basis, the effectiveness of our strategy and the dedication of our partners. As we look to the future, we affirm our commitment to improving the visitor experience and achieving our ambitious goals of doubling the number of visitors and significantly increasing the contribution of tourism to the gross domestic product by the year 2030.”
For his part, Engineer Abdulaziz Ali Al-Mawlawi, CEO of Visit Qatar, said: This year’s achievements represent the result of the joint efforts of all parties concerned in consolidating Qatar’s leadership position in the global tourism scene. By hosting international business events and cultural festivals, and launching innovative initiatives and campaigns, we have succeeded in enhancing Our tourism offerings have increased significantly, and while we have achieved a new record by registering 10 million hotel nights, these achievements reflect our commitment to providing unparalleled experiences, and as we continue to innovate and expand the range of offers that… We offer it, we are excited about the future of tourism in Qatar and the promising opportunities that await us.”
Key events and initiatives
The Doha Jewelery and Watches Exhibition also celebrated its 20th anniversary, strengthening its position as a major event in the region’s luxury sector calendar. The event was held under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, and hosted more than 500 brands from 10 countries at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center, with a record attendance of 30,000 visitors, an increase of 20% over the previous edition, with an achievement of 20% increase in sales compared to last year.
Qatar Tourism Awards
The second edition of the Qatar Tourism Awards honored innovators in the tourism and hospitality sectors, celebrating outstanding achievements and enhancing Qatar’s position as a destination offering world-class experiences.
• Qatar Games Festival: The festival returned for its second edition, attracting more than 100,000 visitors. With expanded interactive areas, live performances and popular characters such as Mr. Bean and Barbie Dreamhouse, the festival provided an unparalleled entertainment experience for families.
• Celebrating World Tourism Day: Qatar Tourism celebrated World Tourism Day effectively under the slogan “Tourism and Peace,” at Heena Salama Farm, where the celebrations included workshops and cultural dialogues, with a focus on the role of tourism in promoting world peace.
• Launch of the Visit Qatar channel: Qatar Tourism, in cooperation with Es’hailSat, launched the Visit Qatar channel, which highlights the diverse travel experiences in Qatar, enhancing its global appeal as a leading tourist destination.
• Record cruise season: The 2024/2025 season is expected to be Qatar’s largest, with 95 scheduled cruises including 33 partial transfers, 11 departures and returns, 5 sailings arriving in Qatar for the first time, and more than 430,000 passengers expected.
Tourism sector road map
Qatar Tourism hosted an event on October 7 in the presence of His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, along with industry leaders and dignitaries. His Excellency Mr. Saad bin Ali Al Kharji, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Qatar Tourism, presented Qatar’s strategic vision for developing tourism, with a focus on Visit Qatar’s initiatives to enhance the country’s position as a global destination.