Qatar is rapidly transforming its profile on the world stage, leveraging the legacy of hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup to become a premier destination for international events and global tourism.
Qatar Tourism Chairman HE Saad bin Ali Al Kharji, speaking to CNN’s Richard Quest, said the country is establishing itself as a year-round venue for major international events and tourism.
“Now we’ve to be smart about how we build on the success of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. By hosting that major event, Doha has become a favorite destination for FIFA to hold their tournaments,” said HE Al Kharji.
“For the first time, we’re also hosting UFC Fight Night in Doha. Formula 1 has become one of the greatest experiences for everyone visiting the city. By organizing such high-profile events, and thanks to the very successful teams we’ve here, we’re building important momentum that we aim to keep going,” he added.
The top official emphasized the value of leveraging Qatar’s world-class infrastructure to boost tourism further. When asked about Qatar Airways, which brings an enormous amount of traffic to the country and likely prompts many to step out to see the country during stopovers, he had this to say.
“Of course. We’ve a great airline flying to more than 177 destinations. Our airport handles 55 million passengers a year. This gives us a big opportunity to target those travellers by activating our stopover program - developed in partnership between Qatar Tourism and Qatar Airways. We’ve seen the program grow month by month,” he said.
He further explained the benefits of the stopover initiative.
“We’ve managed to get travellers out of the airport and into the city, staying for two nights and exploring Doha. It's a fantastic program - why not stop in Doha for two nights, especially with packages starting at just $40?”
While discussing Qatar’s place in the highly competitive GCC tourism market, HE Al Kharji said, “I’m very happy about the strong growth we’re seeing in tourism, and how leaders across the region are viewing tourism as a key factor in diversifying our economies. This healthy competition keeps everyone striving to promote their cities and countries, and to attract as many tourists as possible.”
“In Doha, we’re focused on making the most of our strengths - hosting big events, leveraging our world-class airline, and offering a unique cultural experience deeply rooted in Qatari identity. The sense of hospitality here isn’t just among Qataris, but is shared by everyone who lives in Qatar,” he signed off.
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