Qatar welcomes 1.5M visitors in Q1 2025 as tourism strategy delivers results – Qatar Tourism Board

QATAR – According to the Qatar Tourism Board, the country recordedover 1.5 million international visitors in the first quarter, reflectimg the success of an integrated tourism approach blending high-profile events, strategic global partnerships, and a diversified range of experiences.

GCC nationals led the influx, accounting for 36% of total arrivals, followed by travellers from Europe (28%) and Asia & Oceania (20%).

Visitor access was evenly distributed, with air (51%), land (34%), and sea (15%) arrivals reflecting the effectiveness of Qatar’s multi-access strategy.

Eid Al Fitr 2025 was a standout period, delivering the highest holiday arrival figures in three years. Over the 8-day celebration, Qatar recorded 214,000 visitors, an increase of 26% over 2024.

GCC visitors made up nearly half (49%) of the total, an 18% rise from last year. Hotel occupancy peaked at 77% during this period, up 10% year-on-year.

The broader hospitality sector mirrored this surge in demand.

Average hotel occupancy stood at 71%, with 2.6 million room nights sold, driven by key international events such as Web Summit Qatar, the Doha Jewellery & Watches Exhibition, and the Qatar International Food Festival.

HE Saad Bin Ali Al Kharji, Chairman of Qatar Tourism and Chair of the Board of Directors of Visit Qatar, credited the strong Q1 performance to the country’s long-term tourism development strategy.

“These achievements reflect our commitment to deepening collaboration, diversifying source markets, and enhancing visitor experiences. We are excited to have welcomed 1.5 million visitors so far and look forward to continued growth throughout the year,” he said.

Qatar also strengthened its role in regional tourism by hosting the 51st UN Tourism Regional Committee for the Middle East. Discussions focused on leveraging Qatar’s assets in sports, innovation, and infrastructure to foster sustainable tourism across the region.

As part of its eco-tourism ambitions, Qatar is advancing plans to transform Khor Al Udaid into a luxury desert tourism destination.

This project, aligned with the Tourism Assets Masterplan, blends environmental preservation with immersive, nature-based experiences.

To further enhance visitor satisfaction, Qatar Tourism has partnered with the Ministry of Public Health and Ipsos to launch the “Taste of Qatar” initiative, aimed at benchmarking and elevating the country’s culinary offerings for both residents and international guests.

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