Qatar Tourism closed 2024 with significant achievements, reinforcing its growing presence on the global tourism stage. The year ended with a total of 5,076,640 visitors, marking a 25% increase from 2023’s 4,046,281. December alone saw 594,079 visitors, reflecting a 14.6% rise year-over-year. This growth was driven by 48,000 additional air travelers and 35,000 land visitors, offsetting a slight decline of 7,000 cruise passengers. Visitor numbers in December were up by 74,000 compared to November.
Qatar’s hospitality sector reached new heights, surpassing 10 million room nights for the first time. By December 30, 2024, room nights totaled 10 million, with projections of an additional 35,000 by December 31.
Visitor demographics highlighted Qatar’s broad appeal, with 41% of visitors from GCC countries and 59% from key international markets. The top five visitor sources were Saudi Arabia, India, the United Kingdom, Germany, and the United States.
Qatar’s innovation and excellence were recognized through prestigious accolades, including the Microsoft AI Excellence Award for the Visit Qatar GenAI Chatbot Trip Concierge, and Gold and Silver Awards at the MENA Digital Awards for Best Application and Best Web Platform. Visit Qatar also won the ‘Enterprise AI Tech Award’ for Best Use Case of Gen AI 2024. The AI-powered Trip Concierge, available in over 50 languages on the Visit Qatar website and app, offers tailored itineraries and insights.
The Visit Qatar app received acclaim for user-centric features like the unified profile and Visit Qatar Pass, providing up to 50% discounts on experiences, making it essential for travelers.
Qatar’s culinary landscape gained global recognition with the launch of the Michelin Guide, establishing Qatar as a top dining destination. Two restaurants earned one MICHELIN star, four received Bib Gourmand awards, and 33 were Michelin-selected.
Qatar Tourism also took part in leading international conferences, including the EU-GCC Business Forum, IBTM World in Spain, Web Summit in Lisbon, and the World Travel Market in London.
HE Saad bin Ali al-Kharji, chairman of Qatar Tourism, highlighted the significance of surpassing five million visitors, describing it as a milestone that reflects Qatar’s growth as a premier family-friendly destination. He reaffirmed Qatar’s commitment to enhancing visitor experiences and tripling visitor numbers by 2030.
Abdulaziz Ali al-Mawlawi, CEO of Visit Qatar, credited the collective efforts of stakeholders for advancing Qatar’s status as a global tourism leader through major events, cultural festivals, and innovative campaigns.
