Qatar Tourism reports 3.5M visitors in first nine months of 2025, marking a 2.2% growth

QATAR – Qatar Tourism has announced that international visitor arrivals reached over 3.5 million by the end of September 2025, marking a 2.2% increase compared to the same period in 2024.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region contributed the largest share of visitors at 36%, followed by Europe at 25%, and Asia and Oceania with 22%.

Notably, visitor numbers from China and Australia surged by 37% and 31% respectively. Visitor entry modes remained steady, with 60% arriving by air, 33% by land, and 7% by sea.

Accommodation capacity in Qatar now totals 41,733 hotel and hotel apartment rooms.

The average occupancy rate across all accommodation categories year-to-date reached 68%, a 2.4 percentage point improvement over last year.

Total room nights sold grew 8% year-on-year to 7.7 million, reflecting increased demand in the hospitality sector.

As the year progresses, Visit Qatar is preparing a comprehensive schedule of events for the final quarter and into 2026.

The program includes international sports tournaments, cultural festivals, and entertainment events aimed at attracting a broad mix of residents, regional travelers, and global visitors.

Key upcoming events include the Doha International Military Music Festival (Doha Tattoo), T100 Triathlon World Championship Final in Lusail City, Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix at Lusail International Circuit, and the inaugural Doha Film Festival.

Visit Qatar is also supporting major football tournaments such as the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025™, FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025™, and the FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2025™, hosted across stadiums in Doha, Lusail, and Al Rayyan.

These activities support Qatar’s Third National Development Strategy (2024–2030) by fostering economic diversification and expanding cultural and leisure opportunities.

The winter season into 2026 will feature vibrant cultural programming including “Sealine Season,” “Brouq Season,” Art Basel Qatar, and the Qatar International Food Festival, alongside ongoing heritage and family events at Katara Cultural Village, Souq Waqif, and Al Bidda.

Qatar has made significant tourism infrastructure investments to support its rapid growth.

Key projects include the Lusail Winter Wonderland, Doha Port Cruise Terminal, and the West Bay North Beach revitalization, all designed to enhance visitor experiences and encourage longer stays.

Qatar’s efforts are bolstered by visa policy simplifications, with over 90 countries now enjoying visa-free or visa-on-arrival access.

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