Qatar Anticipates Steady Visitor Flow as Public Life Revives

Doha: As summer and the holiday season come to an end, public life in Qatar is gearing up for a vibrant comeback. With cooler temperatures expected to set in by mid-next month, the atmosphere in Qatar is poised for renewed activity. Schools will resume, and local entertainment venues will see a surge in activity.

Qatar is expecting a steady influx of visitors this year, with the number projected to reach 5 million. According to the regional Arabic newspaper Al Raya, Qatar welcomed 2.6 million visitors in the first half of the year, marking a 23 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

Hamad International Airport has seen unprecedented traffic, with July being the busiest month in its history. The airport managed 30.63 million passengers in the first seven months of the year, with 4.7 million passing through in July alone—a 10 percent increase from July 2023.

The record visitor numbers are partly attributed to the successful AFC Asian Cup earlier this year. Saudi Arabia was the leading source of visitors, accounting for 29 percent of the total, followed by India with 8 percent. Visitors from GCC countries made up 43 percent of the total, reflecting a 151 percent increase compared to the pre-COVID pandemic period.

Last year saw the highest visitor numbers in five years, with 4 million people arriving in Qatar by 2023. Qatar Tourism’s “Your Summer Starts Here” campaign, launched at the beginning of the summer, played a significant role in boosting visitor numbers and attracting tourists to the region.