Growth of the tourism industry in Qatar is in line with the strategic economic objectives of the nation

The growth of Qatar's tourism industry is in line with the nation's strategic economic objectives. By the end of 2024, compared to the previous year, estimates point to a significant rise in arrivals, indicating a buoyant trajectory. The predicted growth of non-energy sectors is wide-ranging, according to Oxford Economics' chief economist and managing director, Scott Livermore, who is also an ICAEW economic advisor. However, based on individual sectoral strategy plans, growth in a few sectors is expected to exceed that of the non-energy GDP overall. He pointed out that one industry that will continue to fuel growth in the future is tourism.

The expansion of the tourist sector is in line with its critical position in the Qatar National Vision 2030 economic framework, which seeks to improve and diversify the country's economy. Strong bilateral agreements and investment have kept the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) relatively upbeat despite the region's mounting difficulties and the declining global economy. Recently, Qatar agreed to negotiate a 27-year contract with Taiwan for 4 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas and a 20-year contract with India for 7.5 million tonnes of gas each year. 

Qatar is predicted to have 2.2 percent GDP growth this year and 2.9 percent growth in 2025. According to the latest Economic Impact Research (EIR) from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), the travel and tourism industry in Qatar is expected to generate QR90.8 billion, or 11.3 percent of the nation's GDP, and more than 334,500 jobs, or 15.8 percent of the workforce, nationwide. 

Forecasts indicate that foreign travel will account for a record-breaking QR69.6 billion in spending this year, while domestic travel spending is predicted to reach QR12 billion. This achievement is evidence of the government's dedication to putting public-private sector cooperation first in order to grow Qatar's travel and tourism industry and provide tourists with a variety of engaging experiences. Last year, the industry hit all-time highs in terms of GDP contribution, employment, and domestic traveler spending.

The GDP contribution of travel and tourism increased by 31% to a record-breaking QR81.2 billion last year, accounting for 10.3% of Qatar's overall economic output and highlighting the sector's significance to the country's economy.  Additionally, the industry demonstrated its importance as a source of employment, adding more than 20,300 new positions to the national total of roughly 286,000, or one in every eight jobs. Spending by domestic tourists increased more than ever to reach QR1.4 billion.

The Third National Development policy 2024–2030 and QNV 2030 serve as the foundation for the nation's tourism policy. The strategy's main objectives for the tourism industry are to bring in 6 million tourists a year and increase the industry's GDP share to 12% by 2030.