Qatar tourism 'shows resilience amid regional turmoil'

Qatar's tourism sector demonstrated remarkable resilience in 2026, despite regional challenges and disruptions to travel. The country welcomed approximately 2.338 million visitors by the end of August, surpassing the record 5.1 million visitors recorded in 2025. According to His Excellency Saad bin Ali al-Kharji, chairman of Qatar Tourism and Visit Qatar, close coordination among government agencies, aviation, hospitality, and the broader tourism community played a crucial role in the industry's response to these challenges.

Al-Kharji emphasized that 2026 was a year of progress, resilience, and transformation for Qatar's tourism sector. He highlighted that the country's future would be defined not only by the number of visitors but by the quality of experiences provided and the strength of the ecosystem surrounding them. The tourism sector's progress was guided by Qatar's commitment to forward planning, preparedness, and sustained investment in people and national capabilities, as affirmed by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani during his address to the UN General Assembly.

Collaboration extended beyond Qatar, with the country serving as GCC Tourism Capital in 2026. This role facilitated deeper regional cooperation and helped develop a more integrated Gulf tourism landscape. Joint tourism offerings, a unified GCC tourism visa, and coordinated promotion in key international markets were expected to ease travel across the region, broaden its appeal, and strengthen its global presence.

Technology played a significant role in Qatar's tourism transformation, with digital platforms like Hayya streamlining the visitor journey from digital entry to destination discovery. Visit Qatar's use of generative AI enhanced personalization and ease of access to attractions and experiences. The focus moving forward was on building a competitive, innovative, and future-ready tourism sector that delivered lasting value for Qatar, diversifying the tourism offering, and ensuring service excellence throughout the visitor journey.

This vision aligns with Qatar National Vision 2030, emphasizing economic diversification, attracting investment, and creating opportunities for private-sector growth while strengthening Qatar's position as a globally connected destination. Al-Kharji expressed gratitude to partners in Qatar, the region, and internationally for their contributions to achieving these ambitious goals.