Qatar’s leisure and tourism sector is seeing substantial growth, achieving a rate of over 147% due to strong global investments and advanced infrastructure, according to the UN World Tourism Organization’s Executive Director, Natalia Bayona. Speaking in an interview with The Peninsula, Bayona noted Qatar’s position as a leading emerging destination, ahead of others like Albania, El Salvador, and Saudi Arabia.
Highlighting the role of public-private investment, Bayona pointed to major events, such as the Web Summit Qatar, the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and the fifth UN Conference on Least Developed Countries, which have propelled tourism growth and economic diversification. Bayona also shared that Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) in Qatar’s tourism sector exceed $1 billion, with contributions from the UAE, Thailand, and Australia.
She emphasized the importance of sustainable tourism as a global economic driver, mentioning UN initiatives aimed at bringing sustainable technologies to the region. Bayona also discussed ongoing technical cooperation with Qatar, focusing on innovation, artificial intelligence, and startup development, supported by collaborations with the Qatar Foundation in education.
In Bayona’s view, Qatar’s tourism growth is enhanced by three key factors: robust air connectivity, major global events, and the hospitality of its citizens. She announced an upcoming AI startup competition for young talent, designed to showcase regional and international innovation in the leisure and tourism sectors.
