Doha, Qatar: Qatar’s tourism sector began 2025 with strong momentum, welcoming over 1.5 million international visitors between January and March. This surge was driven by an integrated tourism strategy that combines high-profile events, strategic partnerships, and diversified destination experiences. Visitors from GCC countries accounted for 36%, followed by Europe at 28% and Asia and Oceania at 20%, reinforcing Qatar’s growing appeal across varied markets.
Visitor arrivals by air constituted 51%, while 34% arrived by land and 15% by sea, highlighting the effectiveness of Qatar’s diversified access strategy. Notably, Eid Al Fitr 2025 delivered the highest holiday arrival figures in three years, with 214,000 visitors during the eight-day period, a remarkable 26% increase over 2024. GCC visitors made up 49% of the total during Eid Al Fitr, marking an 18% year-on-year increase, and hotel occupancy reached 77%, up 10% from the same period last year.
The hospitality sector also saw strong performance, with an average hotel occupancy of 71% and 2.6 million room nights sold. This heightened demand was fueled by key events, including Web Summit Qatar, the Doha Jewellery & Watches Exhibition (DJWE), and the Qatar International Food Festival.
HE Saad Bin Ali Al Kharji, Chairman of Qatar Tourism and Chair of the Board of Directors of Visit Qatar, expressed enthusiasm about the tourism sector's achievements, stating, "The achievements of the first quarter of 2025 demonstrate some of the planned outputs of our long-term approach to tourism development. Part of the development transcends into deepening collaboration across local, regional and international markets and continue to diversify source markets, enhance visitor experiences, and reinforce Qatar’s position as a dynamic, year-round destination. We are excited to have welcomed 1.5 million in Q1 and look forward to welcoming more guests throughout this year."
As part of its commitment to responsible development, Qatar is also progressing the transformation of Khor Al Udaid into a premier desert tourism destination. Anchored in the Tourism Assets Masterplan, the project blends environmental preservation with upscale, nature-based visitor experiences—positioning it as a model for eco-tourism in the region.
To further elevate the visitor experience, Qatar Tourism has launched the “Taste of Qatar” initiative in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health and Ipsos. This initiative aims at benchmarking and enhancing the country’s dining landscape for both residents and tourists.
The Doha Jewellery & Watches Exhibition 2025 welcomed nearly 30,000 visitors, featuring over 500 international and local brands, and recorded sales exceeding QAR 246 million, which is up nearly 10% from last year. Meanwhile, Visit Qatar’s first-of-its-kind Ras Abrouq desert activation drew 55,000 visitors over 60 days, while Visit Qatar’s Sealine Village attracted over 48,000 attendees.
Shop Qatar 2025 generated QAR 120 million in sales, a 50% increase year-on-year, and awarded QAR 2.5 million in prizes. The Qatar International Food Festival brought together over 365,000 visitors and 180 restaurants, including 28 international outlets, while the Throwback Food Festival welcomed over 100,000 to Doha’s Old Port.
The 2024/2025 cruise season recorded 87 ship calls, marking a 19% increase from the previous season. This includes five maiden voyages and 13 homeporting calls, bringing in over 360,000 cruise visitors, which is a 4% increase year-on-year. More than 10% of these were turnaround passengers, supporting Qatar’s positioning as a regional cruise hub.
Ongoing global campaigns continue to drive awareness of Qatar as a tourism destination. In Q1, Qatar had a prominent presence at global platforms including FITUR in Spain, ITB Berlin, and the Outbound Travel Fair in India, reinforcing its appeal to high-potential travelers. Additionally, Visit Qatar enhanced its international stopover campaigns and broadened visibility through content-driven outreach and targeted media placements across key source markets.
At the regional level, tailored campaigns played a pivotal role in boosting visitation and engagement, particularly from the GCC, which accounted for 36% of all international arrivals in Q1. Three major initiatives made a strong impact, including the Ramadan campaign “Welcome Our Dear Neighbours,” the interactive TV programme ‘Emrah wa Erbah,’ and the Eid Al Fitr campaign “Entertainment on Us.” These efforts successfully deepened cultural resonance and encouraged travel during key periods, contributing to record-breaking visitor numbers during Eid Al Fitr 2025.
Looking ahead, momentum is set to continue with a robust calendar of confirmed events. Qatar will host the T100 Triathlon World Championship Final in partnership with the Professional Triathletes Organisation annually until 2030. Upcoming highlights also include the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025, the return of the Visit Qatar E1 Grand Prix of Electric Boats, and a series of major festivals and sporting events, all set to further diversify Qatar’s tourism offerings and drive sustained growth.
In a recent highlight, Qatar Tourism and Visit Qatar concluded their participation in the 32nd edition of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025, held from April 28 to May 1 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The event provided Qatar with a significant platform to highlight its growing position as a leading global tourism destination.
Leading a delegation of 46 partners, including hotels, resorts, and destination management companies, Visit Qatar and Qatar Tourism showcased the country’s diverse tourism offerings through a 600 sqm pavilion. Activations included the 'Explore Qatar' digital experience, live demonstrations of traditional calligraphy, Sadu weaving, pottery, a café experience by Qinwan, and a thrilling 4Dx activation bringing Meryal Waterpark to life.
High-level meetings were held with prominent figures in the regional and global tourism sector, including Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, and His Excellency, Mr. Thoriq Ibrahim, Minister of Tourism and Environment of the Republic of Maldives. These meetings discussed bilateral cooperation and means of enhancing prospects for strategic partnerships.
The pavilion was also recognized with the Sustainability award by ATM for its innovative design, which incorporated eco-friendly materials, energy-efficient fittings, and smart digital technologies, reflecting Qatar’s commitment to responsible tourism development.
Qatar’s participation at ATM 2025 was further marked by several major announcements. Qatar Tourism revealed a partnership with Celestyal Cruises to deploy two ships, MS Celestyal Journey and MS Celestyal Discovery, for the Winter 2025 cruise season, expected to bring over 40,000 additional visitors to Doha.
A new twin-centre holiday initiative, launched in collaboration with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, offers seamless multi-city travel packages through Qatar Airways Holidays and Etihad Holidays, targeting key European and North American markets. Additionally, Visit Qatar signed an MoU with Huawei to develop data-driven marketing strategies across China, Europe, and the GCC, using Huawei’s advanced digital platforms and AI-powered travel tools.
Another MoU with flynas was signed to enhance air connectivity and boost tourist traffic between Qatar and Saudi Arabia, particularly during major events such as the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025. A partnership with Satguru Travel was also established to expand Qatar’s presence in African markets and tailor promotional efforts for these regions.
Qatar Tourism and Visit Qatar’s participation in ATM 2025 marks a significant step forward in promoting Qatar’s tourism landscape, strengthening international partnerships, and supporting the long-term success of Qatar’s economic and tourism goals.
