The 4th edition of the Qatar Economic Forum kicked off on May 14 under the theme ‘A World Remade: Navigating the Year of Uncertainty.’ In the session titled ‘From the Gulf to the World: The Future of Tourism,’ His Excellency Mr. Saad bin Ali Al Kharji, Chairman of Qatar Tourism, shared insights into the region’s tourism outlook. Joining him were esteemed panelists including H.E. Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Minister of Tourism of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Mr. Sébastien Bazin, Group Chairman & CEO of Accor.

Mr. Saad bin Ali Al Kharji highlighted the pivotal role of the FIFA World Cup 2022TM in boosting the region’s tourism. He emphasized how the event showcased Arabian culture and Gulf heritage, attracting visitors and spurring interest in the region’s unique offerings. This led to significant growth in tourism investments, visitor numbers, and the development of new destinations.

In 2023, Qatar saw over 4 million visitors, marking a remarkable 58.4% growth from 2022. By the first four months of 2024, visitor numbers exceeded 2 million. Mr. Al Kharji underscored tourism’s contribution to job creation and stressed the importance of continuous infrastructure development to support various sectors.

Despite challenges, the tourism sector demonstrated resilience, adapting to economic and geopolitical conditions and recovering rapidly from crises. Global tourism rebounded significantly from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, surpassing 88% of pre-pandemic levels worldwide and even exceeding pre-pandemic levels in the Middle East.

Mr. Al Kharji emphasized the importance of Gulf tourism integration, advocating for unified efforts and cooperation among Gulf countries. He highlighted initiatives such as the unified GCC Tourist Visa and the “Double Discovery” campaign, aimed at enhancing visitors’ experiences.

Discussing the link between tourism and sustainability, Mr. Al Kharji elaborated on Qatar’s commitment to sustainable practices, including wildlife and environmental preservation efforts like the conservation of the Whale Shark and Oryx.

Visit Qatar serves as the Tourism Sponsor for the Qatar Economic Forum, which attracts over 2,300 participants, including government leaders, companies, and decision-makers, facilitating constructive dialogue on global issues impacting various sectors.