Tourism Contributes 8% to Qatar’s GDP in 2024, Chairman Announces at Qatar Economic Forum 2025
- Інна Трепачук
- 19 hours ago
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Doha, Qatar – May 2025:
Qatar Tourism announced that the tourism sector contributed QAR 55 billion to the country’s GDP in 2024 — representing 8% of total economic output, a 14% increase over the previous year. The milestone was unveiled by H.E. Mr. Saad Bin Ali Al-Kharji, Chairman of Qatar Tourism, during a high-level panel titled “Tourism in Focus” at the Qatar Economic Forum (QEF) 2025.
The panel, moderated by Bloomberg anchor Joumanna Bercetche, featured Sébastien Bazin, Group Chairman and CEO of Accor, and focused on the future of global tourism across sectors including sustainability, luxury, economic resilience, health tourism, and investment trends.
Highlighting key achievements, H.E. Al-Kharji revealed that international visitor arrivals reached 5 million in 2024, marking a 25% year-on-year increase. Tourism spending within the country totaled QAR 40 billion, and the hospitality sector sold over 10 million room nights, signaling a strong performance and robust recovery.
He emphasized Qatar’s progress toward its Tourism Strategy 2030, which aims to increase tourism’s GDP contribution to 12%. Qatar continues to prioritize experience-driven travel, focusing on six high-value tourism segments and implementing 54 strategic projects across development, regulation, and visitor experience.
H.E. Al-Kharji also spotlighted regional tourism synergies, with joint programs involving Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi, increased air connectivity with China, and integrated health and wellness offerings. He highlighted major tourism infrastructure projects, including the QAR 20 billion Simaisma coastal development and expansion at Hamad International Airport, reinforcing Qatar’s positioning as a leading premium and sustainable destination.
The fifth edition of the Qatar Economic Forum, held under the theme “The Road to 2030: Transforming the Global Economy,” gathered global leaders to discuss vital trends in geopolitics, energy, innovation, and economic diversification.