35% of the total visitors are from GCC countries, with Europeans in second place
The unified calendar is a strategic initiative to maximize the impact of tourism on the national economy
The number of visitors to the State of Qatar by the end of October 2025 reached more than 3 million and 900 thousand visitors, which reflects the good performance of the tourism sector thanks to the various attractions that Doha abounds throughout the year, such as landmarks, leading tourist destinations, events and festivals that are organized, as well as the authentic Arab hospitality for which it is famous.
Statistics issued by Qatar Tourism on its official website showed that the total number of visitors since the beginning of the year reached 3 million and 923 thousand visitors, while last October the number of visitors reached 374 thousand, an increase of 36% compared to September 2025.
During the first nine months of this year, the number of visitors reached 3.5 million, an increase of 2.2 percent compared to the same period last year.
The number of people arriving to Qatar by air reached two million and 418 thousand people, representing 61% of the total number of visitors, while one million and 255 thousand visitors arrived by land, representing 32 percent of the number of visitors, and about 251 thousand visitors arrived by sea, representing 7% of the total.
Source markets for visitors
Statistics indicated that the Gulf Cooperation Council countries continued to lead the list of markets exporting visitors with a percentage of 35 percent, with about 1,386,000 of the total arrivals, followed by Europe, with 972,000 visitors, with a percentage of 25%, then Asia and Oceania, with a percentage of 22.6%, with 887,000 visitors, while visitors from other Arab countries constituted about 292,000 people, with a percentage of 7.4%, and the United States ranked fifth with 7% of the total, with 276%. One thousand visitors.
With the continued distinguished performance of the tourism sector since the beginning of this year and the existence of a unified national calendar of events, the sector continues to support the third national development strategy (2024-2030), by contributing to diversifying the economy and expanding access to cultural, sports and recreational activities for both residents and visitors.
The popularity of the tourism sector
Experts in the tourism sector, whose opinions were polled by Al-Arab, expected that the State of Qatar would witness a boom and a qualitative boom in the number of visitors during the coming months with the return of the cruise season and the announcement of “Visit Qatar” about a calendar full of events during the winter season and the hosting of many sporting events such as the World Cup for Youth under 17 years, which started its activities the day before yesterday, the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025, the Formula One Championship and other events.
At the same time, they pointed out that the diversity of events, which include a mix of sports, cultural, artistic and entertainment events, is an important attraction for those wishing to visit Doha, which meets the needs of everyone, especially families looking to enjoy the mild weather during the winter.
Winter calendar
“Visit Qatar” recently announced the most prominent events included in the Qatar Calendar 2025-2026, which represents the official and unified platform for displaying the major events hosted by the country throughout the year. The announcement of the unified calendar of events constitutes a strategic step to combine efforts under one umbrella, allowing citizens and visitors from all over the world to plan in advance to attend Qatar’s various events. The calendar also highlights the country’s position as a destination that offers rich and diverse content. It enhances economic movement and supports the hospitality and retail sectors, in addition to harmonizing the roles between national institutions and international partners, providing an integrated experience for visitors.
The unified calendar embodies the state’s vision as a strategic tool that facilitates access to and planning events, with continuous updates that reflect its diversity among entertainment, culture, sports, and broad participation that enhances Qatar’s position as an integrated destination.
Various activities
The entertainment events include special evenings, in addition to concerts by leading Arab artists. On the cultural level, the highlights of the 2026 Brouq Season in Ras Brouq, the Qatar International Food Festival, which is considered the largest in the field of culinary arts, and the “Eat First” festival, which revives the heritage of Qatari restaurants in a modern spirit, in addition to the ongoing events in the “Katara” Cultural Village, Souq Waqif, and Al Bidda that enrich the artistic and cultural scene.
In the field of sports, Qatar continues to consolidate its position as a leading sporting destination by hosting major tournaments that include hosting the UFC® Fight Night Championship, the Asian Padel Championship, the Jet Ski World Championships, and the Qatar International Golf Series.
According to “Visit Qatar,” the announced calendar of events represents the first stage in a rich season during which additional events will be announced, ensuring that everyone finds something that suits their interests. Cooperation with partners will continue throughout the season to ensure the highest levels of operational readiness for accompanying services such as public transportation, parking, smart transportation, and public areas, in addition to hospitality options and integrated packages for major events to meet the needs of various groups.