Saad Al-Kharji: The tourism sector supports the process of diversifying the economy and creates new employment opportunities
We developed strategic plans, created a new governance structure, and attracted distinguished cadres
Doha has established itself as the sports capital of the world and a popular destination
His Excellency Mr. Saad bin Ali Al Kharji, President of Qatar Tourism and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Visit Qatar, said: “As we celebrate World Tourism Day 2024 under the slogan ‘Tourism and Peace’, we realize that tourism goes beyond being just a means of exploration and entertainment, and that it is an effective tool for deepening understanding and acquaintance between nations.” and coexistence between cultures.
Under the wise leadership of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of the country, the State of Qatar has always recognized the great importance of the tourism industry as one of the vital tributaries to supporting sustainable economic growth.
Launching the third national development strategy
He added: There is no doubt that the launch of the Third National Development Strategy 2024-2030 at the beginning of this year, which is the third stage on the way to achieving the goals of the Qatar National Vision 2030, was a confirmation of this importance, as it identified the tourism sector as a major sector within the economic diversification clusters entrusted with contributing to Achieving sustainable growth and supporting the diversification of the Qatari economy.
He pointed out that by supporting the process of economic growth and creating new employment opportunities, the tourism sector in Qatar paves the way towards growth and prosperity, and provides more opportunities to enhance cultural interaction and understanding between nations and peoples. When we raise the importance and value of our cultural and natural heritage and preserve it, we not only enhance the tourism experiences of visitors to Qatar, but we also support the spirit of belonging and pride among the Qatari community.
He added that we at Qatar Tourism are working tirelessly to enhance Qatar’s position as an ideal destination for family tourism, famous for achieving the highest standards of excellence in all its offerings, as part of our constant endeavor to support the growth process across the sector. Our strategy to achieve this mission is to maximize the benefit of our rich cultural and civilizational heritage, develop new attractions, and provide unique experiences for the people and visitors of Qatar.
Consolidating the values of integrity
Teamwork and continued innovation
We have developed strategic plans, established a new governance structure, and attracted distinguished cadres with extensive experience in the tourism industry in order to chart the next stages of our journey. Therefore, we established Visit Qatar, the main arm of Qatar Tourism, and the body responsible for marketing and promoting the tourism sector in the State of Qatar. We will remain committed to achieving our goals by consolidating the values of integrity, teamwork, and continuing innovation. The secret of our success lies in our firm commitment to service excellence, transparency support, and concerted efforts among all components of the sector.
Al-Kharji said: Our tireless efforts have yielded results in the tourism sector, which is recording remarkable performance year after year, as Qatar received, until the end of last August, more than 3.2 million visitors, which means an increase of 26% compared to the same period last year 2023. This growth reflects The extent of progress we are making towards achieving our strategic goals, which are for Qatar to become one of the fastest growing tourist destinations in the region by 2030, attracting more than 6 million visitors annually, the preferred destination for family holidays, and increasing the tourism sector’s contribution to the gross domestic product from 7% to 12%.
Diversifying our tourism offers
Al-Kharji added, “Today we see Qatar having established its position as the sports capital of the world and the public’s favorite destination for hosting major tournaments, especially after its impressive success in hosting major tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, the Asian Cup Qatar 2023, the Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix, and many others.” As part of our keenness to further diversify our tourism offerings, we are now working on developing the medical tourism sector in Qatar, relying on the Qatari healthcare system, which is ranked among the best healthcare systems in the world and now includes a group of the most prominent and pioneering specialized hospitals in the region. We also do not overlook the importance of meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions tourism, which plays a vital role in promoting growth in the sector, as Qatar has 128 facilities that together provide an exhibition area of 70,000 square meters, enabling it to host major international events such as the “Web Summit” conference, the Geneva International Motor Show, and others. .
He added: We at Qatar Tourism are committed to enhancing Qatar’s presence globally through active participation in the most famous international exhibitions and forums and concluding strategic partnerships, the most recent of which was the cooperation agreement with the UEFA Euro 2024 in Germany and the Goodwood Racecourse in the United Kingdom.
As we celebrate World Tourism Day under the slogan “Tourism and Peace,” the United Nations Tourism Organization emphasizes the vital role that tourism plays in promoting cultural exchange and creating a more peaceful and tolerant world.
The safest country in the world
Therefore, it is not surprising that Qatar, which is home to more than 100 nationalities, encourages and supports this cultural exchange. As one of the safest countries in the world and known for its family-friendly environment, the State of Qatar uses its unique cultural diversity and the spirit of authentic Arab hospitality in its efforts to promote peace and understanding and support cultural ties.
The Qatar International Food Festival, now in its thirteenth year, embodies our ongoing commitment to highlighting this cultural diversity that characterizes the culinary scene in Qatar.
I would like to conclude by offering my sincere thanks and appreciation to all our partners in the public and private sectors for their sincere efforts to support responsible and sustainable tourism. Your commitment to diversifying tourism experiences, encouraging innovation, and maintaining excellence in service contributes to strengthening Qatar’s position as a leading tourist destination on the global tourism map.”