Qatar surpasses 2023 Tourism Records by welcoming 4mn visitors
Qatar Tourism (QT) recently revealed that the nation welcomed over 4 million visitors in 2023, surpassing annual visitor numbers from the previous 5 years! This milestone showcases the significant impact of the FIFA World Cup 2022 and Qatar's continual efforts to strengthen its tourism sector.
The introduction of the Hayya platform earlier in the year streamlined the visa process for travellers, complementing Qatar's open travel policies offering visa-on-arrival to visitors from 95 countries. Additionally, a year-long schedule of events and compelling marketing campaigns contributed to the surge in tourism figures.
Saad bin Ali al-Kharji, chairman of QT, emphasized by stating that "Qatar continues to demonstrate its appeal as a global tourism destination with its expanded tourism infrastructure, safety, and authentic Arabian hospitality.
"Qatar’s diverse tourism offering, with its 500km of pristine coastline, world-class museums, and cultural and contemporary destinations, combine to make for a unique and compelling holiday that can be tailored to suit travellers from the region and internationally. New developments in Qatar’s tourism sector are ongoing, creating even further opportunities for growth."
Leading the influx of visitors in 2023 were tourists from Saudi Arabia, constituting 25.3% of total international arrivals, followed by India, Germany, the UK and Kuwait. Air travel remained the primary mode of arrival, accounting for 85% of visitors, followed by land and sea.
Qatar's successful hosting of the renowned Geneva International Motor Show and the record-breaking cruise season in 2023 highlighted Qatar's growing prominence in the global tourism landscape.
Looking forward to 2024, Qatar is set to host over 80 diverse events, ranging from sports championships and cultural festivals to international summits, and technological conferences. Some prominent events include the AFC Asian Cup, Shop Qatar, Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition, Katara International Arabian Horse Festival, Annual Qatar Economic Forum, Formula 1 Grand Prix 2024, Autonomous e-mobility forum and the Web Summit.
For a more comprehensive list of the 2024 events, please visit www.visitqatar.com
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