Qatar Receive Five Million Tourists in 2024

Tourism in Qatar has crossed a new milestone with as many as five million tourists visited the Gulf nation in 2024. This achievement marks a remarkable 25% growth in international arrivals compared to 2023, solidifying Qatar’s position as a leading global tourism destination.

Of the five million international visitors, GCC nationals made up 41% and the remaining 59% from various countries and the key markets included Saudi Arabia, India, the UK, Germany and the US, demonstrated substantial growth, reflecting Qatar’s diverse appeal.

In addition to exceeding the visitor arrivals target of 4.79 million, Qatar has surpassed its annual goal of 8.8 million room nights sold, recording nearly 10 million room nights sold to date this year.

As many as 56% of visitors arrived by air, 37% by land, and the remaining 7% by sea. Additionally, Qatar’s hospitality sector has grown significantly, surpassing 40,000 hotel keys till December 30 last year.

Visitor numbers have consistently grown throughout the year, with significant peaks at the start and end of 2024.

The AFC Asian Cup in January set the tone for a record-breaking year, while the conclusion was highlighted by the beginning of a thriving 2024-25 cruise season, the Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix, and record number of visitors from Saudi Arabia in November during school holidays.

Tourist Hub

Qatar Tourism Chairman Saad Bin Ali Al Kharji said that surpassing five million visitors has been a landmark accomplishment for Qatar, bringing the country closer to realising its vision of positioning itself as one of the world’s fastest-growing, family-friendly premier destinations.

He said that the 25% y-o-y growth, alongside the exceptional sales of 10 million room nights, underscored the effectiveness of their strategy and the collaborative efforts of the stakeholders. This milestone is not only a celebration of our accomplishments but also a foundation for future growth as we continue to deliver unique experiences and service excellence across all the tourism touch points for every visitor.

He added: “Our tourism goals are ambitious but achievable. Between 2022 and 2030, we aim to nearly triple our visitor numbers and to at least double the tourism in-destination spend. We also aim to increase total tourism contribution to GDP to 10%-12%.”

According to him, Qatar welcomes visitors from all over the world and reaffirms its commitment to offering exceptional experiences and service excellence that reflect Qatari hospitality and its rich heritage.

Qatar opens its doors to everyone to explore its unique landmarks, from its vibrant cultural heritage to its world-class family destinations, solidifying its position as a leading tourist destination that meets the aspirations of all visitors.