Doha, Qatar: Chairman of Qatar Tourism and Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, H E Akbar Al Baker stressed that the tourism sector in the country witnessed over the past few years exceptional development that made Qatar among the top tourist destinations in the region – this is especially after hosting the World Cup last year.
In an exclusive interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA), Al Baker said that the success of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 had a direct impact on Qatar’s tourism, as the number of tourists to Qatar this year reached a record-breaking 1.5 million, in just the first half of the year.
He stressed that the tournament demonstrated to the world that Qatar is a world-class destination, from the beginnings of a visitor’s travel experience all the way through to their stay and exploration of the country.
“Qatar had the exquisite privilege of hosting the first FIFA World Cup tournament to ever be held in the Arab world and a tournament that has recently been voted as the greatest this century. Its success was the product of twelve years of imagination, hard work, and a unique brand of infectious enthusiasm that can only be found in Qatar.”
Al Baker highlighted the rapid change witnessed by the country over the past decade, which included eight state-of-the-art stadiums, a brand-new metro system, the construction of an entirely new cruise terminal, the expansion and beautification of Hamad International Airport and the development of Lusail Qatar’s smart, future city, in addition to one-of-a-kind districts and tourism attractions such as Msheireb Downtown Doha which integrates both sustainability and heritage, further presenting to global travellers Qatar’s unique blend of modernity and authenticity.
He affirmed that Qatar Tourism is committed to building on the success of the World Cup and continuing to promote Qatar as a world-class travel destination, adding that with its rich cultural heritage, modern infrastructure, and welcoming hospitality, Qatar has something to offer every traveller, and the country is poised to become one of the most sought-after destinations in the world.
“First and foremost, it was our number one priority to ensure visitors had a memorable experience at every touch point throughout their journey and this was something we had to achieve working with our private sector partners,” he explained.
He noted that Qatar Tourism’s digital transformation journey has also been a critical factor in promoting the country. To date, Qatar Tourism have received 13 international awards for its digital transformation, demonstrating its success in leveraging digital technologies to enhance the visitor experience, increase engagement, and drive tourism growth.
