Qatar tourism reaffirms its global ambitions at WTM London 2025

Qatar’s tourism momentum continues to surge as the Gulf state reports strong visitor arrivals and record hotel occupancy heading into the final months of 2025.

Speaking at the World Travel Market (WTM) in London, Abdulaziz Ali Al-Mawlawi, CEO Visit Qatar, outlined the country’s rapid progress toward its long-term tourism vision. The CEO mentioned world-class infrastructure, a packed calendar of global events, and growing diversification across leisure, MICE, and medical tourism.

“Earlier in December, Qatar will host the Intercontinental FIFA Championship, alongside the UFC’s first-ever event in the country, and the Formula 1 Grand Prix in November,” Al-Mawlawi said. “Our calendar is full — from major sporting spectacles to cultural festivals, museum exhibitions, and world-class entertainment.”

So far this year, Qatar has recorded 3.5 million international visitors, representing a 2.2% increase compared to 2024. The GCC region accounted for the largest share of international arrivals at 36%, followed by Europe (25%) and the rest of Asia and Oceania (22%). In terms of access, 60% of visitors arrived by air, 33% by land, and 7% by sea as of the third quarter of 2025 — reflecting Qatar’s position as one of the most connected destinations in the Middle East.

Hotel demand continues to climb alongside arrivals. Hotel supply reached 41,733 room keys by the end of September 2025, with occupancy already totaling 7.7 million room nights, a strong trajectory toward surpassing last year’s 10 million. The final two months of 2025, filled with flagship international events, are expected to push the country even closer to its annual targets. Qatar is edging toward its Vision 2030 goal of over 6 million annual international travelers, a milestone now clearly within reach.”We will basically almost double the number of our visitors,” added Al-Mawlawi.

“This success is the result of a collective effort between our leadership and the private sector,” he further emphasized. “Together, we are positioning Qatar not just as a regional hub but as a global destination for leisure, culture, and business travel.”

MICE and Connectivity: Building a Global Hub

A central focus of Qatar’s tourism expansion is the MICE sector, which Al-Mawlawi described as “crucial” to the nation’s tourism strategy. “We have world-class connectivity with more than 180 destinations through Qatar Airways,” he noted. “Our location puts us within eight hours of most major capitals — and with Hamad International Airport ranked number one globally, we truly are at the center of the world.”

Qatar’s modern infrastructure — from its sleek metro system to its expanding portfolio of luxury hotels — is designed to support large-scale international gatherings. “All these elements make Qatar a premier MICE destination, and we are working to ensure Visit Qatar is at the forefront of promoting this globally,” he said.

Medical Tourism: A New Growth Pillar

For the first time at WTM London, Qatar showcased its medical tourism offerings, highlighting specialized healthcare providers such as Sidra Hospital and Aspetar, the region’s leading sports medicine hospital. “We are giving greater attention to medical tourism, a new and important pillar for us,” said Al-Mawlawi. “Athletes and teams from around the world already come to Doha for treatment — and now we are expanding that experience to visitors seeking advanced medical care and wellness travel.”

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