Eid Al Adha in Doha, Qatar is a time of celebration and excitement for citizens, residents, and tourists alike. The festive environment attracts a large number of visitors from the GCC countries, with this year seeing an increase in visitors from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates. Ali Thabet, a tourism and marketing expert, noted that the percentage of Saudi visitors was the largest, with many coming to Qatar to enjoy the vibrant events, special deals, and exciting activities that the country has to offer.
During Eid Al Adha, many Qataris and residents went on short trips to nearby destinations such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Turkiye, and London. However, most people plan to travel after Eid to avoid crowding and high ticket prices. Popular summer vacation destinations for tourists from Qatar include Britain, European countries, the USA, and Turkiye. With Qatar’s developed tourism infrastructure and efforts by Qatar Tourism, the increase in the number of GCC visitors during Eid Al Adha is expected to continue to grow.
The tourism scene in Qatar is thriving, with events held throughout the year to attract visitors. One of the recent remarkable developments is the air conditioning of outdoor tourist sites, allowing tourists to visit and enjoy even during high temperatures. The goal of Qatar National Vision 2030 is to increase the number of visitors and the GDP share from tourism to 12%, with the country making strides in the right direction to achieve this goal.
Khaled Lakmoush, General Manager at Al Muftah Travel, noted that this year, the most visitors during Eid Al Adha came from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, while Qataris and residents favored trips to Thailand, the UAE, and Turkiye. Favorite travel destinations for Qataris and residents include the UK, Thailand, Maldives, Russia, and Turkiye. Main attractions for foreign tourists in Qatar include Banana Island, Hilton Salwa Resort, Lusail, Katara, Mshereib, and West Walk. Factors such as festive environments, entertainment, sports events, and weather play a significant role in influencing tourism in Qatar.
The travel and tourism sector in Qatar is set to contribute significantly to the country’s economy, with a projected contribution of QR90.8bn this year, making up 11.3% of the nation’s total output. It is expected to generate over 334,500 jobs nationwide, accounting for 15.8% of the entire workforce. The sector’s GDP contribution increased by 31% in 2023, reaching a record QR81.2bn, which amounts to 10.3% of Qatar’s overall economic output. Qatar is increasingly becoming known as a captivating travel destination, offering a unique blend of rich Arabian heritage and modern amenities to visitors from around the world.
