‍

Since the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Qatar has been on the radar of holidaymakers, and the Basketball World Cup, which is also taking place in Qatar in 2027, will reinforce the trend. However, the soccer World Cup was not only an accelerator for international tourism, but also boosted Qatar itself in many ways. This even applies to Qatari cuisine, which has recently gained self-confidence and is on trend.

‍

Divan, the Arab House of Culture, which otherwise acts as a bridge between Germany and the Arab world with many cultural and social programs in Berlin-Zehlendorf, hosted a major conference with 140 journalists and multipliers in Berlin-Mitte in an oriental atmosphere and with Qatari cuisine. Qatar as a travel destination: There has never been such a big event with experts on this emerging topic.

‍

Record in tourism: In the past year, international visitors to Qatar exceeded the 5 million mark for the first time, which represents an annual growth of 25%.

‍

Most visitors (41 percent) come from the Gulf countries, followed by Europeans (23 percent) and Asians (20 percent). Americans and visitors from Arab countries are in the single-digit range. 56 percent of tourists arrive by plane, 37 percent by land and 7 percent by sea. The average length of stay in Qatar is increasing and has now risen to seven nights.

‍

“With initiatives such as the National Tourism Strategy 2030, we are investing in sustainability, innovation and cultural tourism to attract visitors from all over the world,” said Qatar Ambassador Abdulla Ibrahim Al-Hamar as he presented his country with experts. The ambassador mentioned in particular the expansion of Hamad International Airport as an important pillar of this ambitious vision. Opened just a decade ago, the airport is currently designed for 15 million passengers a year and is expected to handle 70 million passengers soon. But Al-Hamar also referred to the growth of the hospitality and entertainment sectors. Qatar is focused on business tourism and ecotourism.

‍

It was also announced that from July 2025, three direct flights per day will connect Berlin with Doha. From Germany, Qatar is served directly by a total of five airports, with the exception of Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Düsseldorf and Hamburg.

‍

Why should German holidaymakers come to Qatar, asks the ambassador, who “would love to bring all 85 million Germans to Qatar,” and he immediately provides the answer himself. Qatar is one of the safest countries in the world, it is very clean, the food is hygienically prepared and the residents are hospitable and humorous. Although Qatar has the image of wealth and luxury, the hotels were among the cheapest in the world despite their high standards. Public transport is also cheap and excellent.

The evening was organised and hosted by the Divan, the Arab House of Culture. Among the experts on the ‘Divan Tourism Salon’ panel, Sheikha Reem Al Thani, Deputy Director of Exhibitions, Public Art and Rubayia at Qatar Museums, impressed the audience. Reem announced the imminent opening of four museums in Qatar, which would be sensational in terms of both architecture and exhibits.

‍

Jassim Al Mahmoud, Director of Communications at Visit Qatar, presented the country's development from a typical stopover destination to a fully integrated tourism partner. Qatar is therefore so dynamic and successful that it is now one of the fastest growing travel destinations in the world. The Qatari tourism industry — including in Germany — is constantly forming new partnerships and strengthening the country's reputation as a first-class destination for a mix of beach holidays and cultural enjoyment.

‍

Qatar, by the way, attaches great importance to the fact that it is not lumped in with the United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi, Dubai) or its neighbour Saudi Arabia.

‍

ekö

‍