Visit Qatar highlights record tourism growth and UK market strength at WTM London 2025 | News
Visit Qatar unveils the country’s significant tourism growth and expands its visitor offering at World Travel Market (WTM) 2025, from 4 to 6 November 2025 at ExCeL London. Together with a strong delegation of 48 partners – including hotels, resorts and destination management companies – Visit Qatar shared its latest milestones in the country’s tourism sector during a press conference on November 5, highlighting growth in visitor numbers, expansion of the hospitality industry, cruise milestones and Qatar’s evolving position as a world-class travel destination.
Qatar continues to strengthen its position as the fastest growing global tourism destination, building on the legacy of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which placed the country firmly in the global spotlight and demonstrated its ability to deliver exceptional tourism experiences. In 2024, the country welcomed 5 million visitors, representing a 25% increase from 2023, equivalent to approximately 8% of the national GDP (QAR 55 billion).
The momentum has continued into 2025, with 3.549 million visitors in the first nine months of the year. In addition to this growth, Qatar’s hospitality sector has also grown, with 7.7 million hotel room nights sold in September 2025, an increase of 8.5% compared to the same period last year, and a total of 41,733 hotel keys at an average occupancy rate of 68.2%. Qatar remains on track to surpass 2024’s visitor totals by the end of 2025, supported by an active calendar of global events and continued confidence from international travelers.
The 2024/2025 cruise season in Qatar, which ran from November to April, also saw record success. Qatar welcomed 87 cruise ships and approximately 360,000 passengers, a 19% increase from the previous season, supported by the country’s newly expanded cruise terminal. This growth strengthens Qatar’s appeal across a wide range of traveler demographics.
Qatar continues to redefine global tourism standards through a combination of world-class luxury, culture and events. Visitors can explore new attractions such as Meryal Waterpark, Gewan Island and Al Maha Island, while world-class hotels including the recently opened Rosewood Doha and Our Habitas Ras Abrouq offer distinctive experiences rooted in Qatar’s heritage and design. Major events including the Formula 1 Grand Prix, UFC Fight Night and the Qatar T100 Triathlon, in addition to future tournaments such as the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup and the 2029 FIVB Volleyball World Cup, strengthen Qatar’s position as a leading global sports and entertainment destination.
The United Kingdom remains one of Qatar’s most important markets, accounting for 4.9% of total visitors. More than 174,000 British travelers visited Qatar between January and September 2025. Multiple daily direct flights from London, Manchester and Edinburgh continue to improve connectivity and deepen cultural, business and economic ties between the two countries.
The latest developments in Qatar are in line with Qatar’s National Vision 2030 and National Tourism Strategy 2030, which aim to increase the tourism sector’s contribution to 12% of GDP by 2030 and increase domestic tourism expenditure by three to four times. Sustainability, innovation and cultural exchange remain at the core of Qatar’s tourism strategy as the country continues to position itself as a leading global destination.
