Qatar's Tourism Sector

$15.65M

Revenue from the Tourism sector in 2019

2M

Total Tourist visits to Qatar in 2019

About Qatar's Tourism Sector

Qatar’s tourism sector saw $15.65 billion in revenue in 2019, even though it was hindered by the previous blockade. Qatar still welcomed nearly 2.2 million international visitors in 2019, with over 205,000 being from the Americas. This is an increase of over 17% from 2018. And 2020 was also looking very promising until the COVID-19 pandemic hit the world. Between January and February 2020, the country welcomed 499,000 tourists, which was a 32% increase compared to the same two months in 2019. 

The tourism sector is going to continue to grow with the end of the rift and with Qatar preparing for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. From 2016-2018, the country opened 12 new hotels. At the end of 2018, Qatar had a total of 110 hotels (46 being luxury hotels), with a combined total of 24,091 rooms. 

In 2019, the tourism industry grew by 6% from the previous year. In the same year, the average cost per room dropped by 2%, even though demand for hotels grew by 15% and there was a 9% increase in occupancy. 

Qatar’s cruise industry also saw a massive influx, resulting in its largest cruise season ever. From October 2019 to April 2020, Qatar recorded 186,000 passengers and 61,000 crew members from 74 cruise ships. Compared to the previous cruise season, this is a 120% increase in the number of passengers and a 66% increase in the number of cruise ships arriving in Qatar. 

Some of the major companies in Qatar’s tourism sector include Qatar Airways, Marriott, Hilton, and Royal Caribbean Cruises.

The Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) is the most visited Museum in Qatar, with over 500,000 annual visitors.

Key Organizations

Investment Promotion Agency Qatar (IPA Qatar)

The IPA Qatar oversees investment promotion activities under the Invest Qatar brand and acts as the country’s umbrella organization for foreign direct investment attraction.

Go to IPA Qatar Guide

Qatar Free Zones Authority

The Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZA) is an independent authority created in 2018 to oversee free zones in Qatar, offering opportunities for businesses seeking to expand globally.

Go to QFZA Guide

Qatar Airways

QA is one of the youngest global airlines to serve all six continents, as well as the world’s fastest-growing airline. QA connects more than 130 destinations on the map every day from Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar.

Go to Qatar Airways Guide

Hamad International Airport (HIA)

Hamad International Airport (HIA) is Qatar’s new airport which opened in 2014. HIA serves over 360,000 flights and 30 million passengers per year.

Go to Hamad International Guide

Alfardan Group

Alfardan Group is a family run business that specializes in luxury products and services and delivers some of the world’s most-recognizable brands to the Qatari market.

Go to Alfardan Group Guide

Ali Bin Ali Holding

Ali Bin Ali, established in 1945, is one of Qatar’s largest retail and distribution companies. It has 18 businesses, representing 300+ companies in sectors such as food and beverage, fashion, hospitality, mall management, hypermarkets, and manufacturing.

Go to Ali Bin Ali Guide

AbuIssa Holding

AbuIssa Holding is an internationally recognized leader both as a partner for growth and in exploring the possibilities of innovative new business. AbuIssa houses over 70 distinguished businesses across 11 sectors.

Go to AbuIssa Holding Guide

Qatar National Library

Qatar National Library (QNL) is a modern facility that provides the people of Qatar with access to over one million books. In its role as a research library QNL fosters global insight into the history and culture of the Arabian Gulf region.

Go to Qatar National Library Guide

Qatar Business Incubation Center (QBIC)

QBIC is one of the largest incubation centers in the region. QBIC was created to provide all the necessary tools to enable Qatari entrepreneurship to succeed, which includes funding, office space, mentorship, and guidance.

Go to QBIC Guide

Qatar National Tourism Council

The Qatar National Tourism Council is a governance council that was approved by Qatar's leadership to oversee, coordinate, consolidate and focus the efforts of its key members and stakeholders.

Go to National Tourism Council Guide

Katara Cultural Village

Katara Cultural Village is the largest, most multidimensional cultural project in Qatar. It endeavors to spread awareness about the importance of every culture and serve as a guardian to Qatar’s heritage and traditions.

Go to Katara Village Guide

Katara Hospitality

Katara Hospitality is a Qatari global hotel owner, developer and operator. Katara Hospitality actively pursues its strategic expansion plans by investing in hotels in Qatar while growing its collection of properties in international markets.

Go to Katara Hospitality Guide

Museum of Islamic Art (MIA)

MIA represents Islamic art from three continents over 1,400 years. Through safeguarding masterpiece collections of Islamic art and showcasing extraordinary exhibitions, MIA shares knowledge, spreading curiosity, understanding, and joy.

Go to Museum of Islamic Art Guide

National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ)

The National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ) is dedicated to bringing to life the unique story of Qatar and its people. Designed as a vibrant and immersive space, diverse communities can come together and experience Qatar’s past, present and future.

Go to NMoQ Guide

Al Faisal Holding

Al Faisal Holding is one of the leading diversified private holding companies in Qatar. Al Faisal has played a key role in the development of the economy of Qatar by attracting foreign investment.

Go to Al Faisal Holding Guide

Ezdan Holding Group

Ezdan Holding Group is involved in the real estate sector. Its primary endeavors consist of the acquisition and sale of property and land and the provision of general contract services for all types of projects and buildings.

Go to Ezdan Holding Guide

Mannai Corporation

Mannai is a Qatari company which provides a wide variety of services and solutions to its ever growing client base. Its businesses are in oil and gas, automotive distribution, and information and communication technology.

Go to Mannai Guide

The Pearl

The Pearl-Qatar is United Development Center’s flagship project. It is one of the largest mixed-use developments in the Middle East and one of the largest real-estate developments in the Gulf.

Go to The Pearl Guide

Qatar Chamber of Commerce & Industry (QCCI)

The QCCI was established in 1963, and its primary function is to organize business interests and represent the Qatari private sector both locally and internationally and to support the country’s economic actors and productivity.

Go to QCCI Guide

Qatari Businessmen Association (QBA)

The key function of QBA is to work as the link between Qatar’s strategic plans and the activities of Qatari businessmen. QBA aims to play a leading role in the development of private sector activities at the local and international levels.

Go to QBA Guide