Since the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Qatar has been on the radar of holidaymakers, and the Basketball World Cup, which will also be held in Qatar in 2027, will reinforce the trend. However, the World Cup has not only been an accelerator for international tourism, but has also boosted Qatar itself in many ways. This even applies to Qatari cuisine, which has recently gained self-confidence and is on trend.
The Divan, the Arabic Culture House in Berlin-Zehlendorf, which otherwise acts as a bridge builder between Germany and the Arab world with its many cultural and social programs, hosted a large conference with 140 journalists and multipliers in Berlin-Mitte in an oriental atmosphere and with Qatari cuisine. Qatar as a travel destination: never before has there been such a large event with experts on this emerging topic.
Record in tourism: Last year, international visitors to Qatar exceeded the 5 million mark for the first time, which corresponds to an annual growth of 25 percent.
Most guests (41 percent) come from the Gulf States, 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 come by air, 37 percent by land and seven 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’s Ambassador Abdulla Ibrahim Al-Hamar as he presented his country with experts. The ambassador cited the expansion of Hamad International Airport in particular as an important pillar of this ambitious vision. The airport, which opened just a decade ago, is currently designed to handle 15 million passengers per year and is soon expected to handle 70 million. Al-Hamar also referred to the growth of the hospitality and entertainment sectors. Qatar is focusing on business tourism and ecotourism.
It was also announced that from July 2025, three direct flights per day (!) will connect Berlin with Doha. Qatar is served by a total of five direct flights from Germany: Munich, Frankfurt, Düsseldorf and Hamburg in addition to Berlin.
Why should German vacationers come to Qatar, asks the ambassador, who “would like to bring all 85 million Germans to Qatar”, and he 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 inhabitants are hospitable and humorous. Although Qatar has an image of wealth and luxury, the hotels are among the cheapest in the world despite their high standards. Public transportation is also cheap and excellent.
The evening was organized and hosted by the Divan, the Arab Culture House. Among the experts on the panel of the “Divan Tourism Salon”, Sheikha Reem Al Thani, Deputy General Manager for Exhibitions, Public Art and Rubayia at Qatar Museums, shone. Reem announced the imminent opening of four museums in Qatar that would be sensational in both architecture and exhibits.
Jassim Al Mahmoud, Communications Director of Visit Qatar, presented the country’s development from a typical stopover destination to a fully integrated tourism partner. Qatar is so dynamic and successful that it is now one of the fastest growing destinations in the world. The Qatari tourism industry is constantly forging new partnerships – also in Germany – and strengthening the country’s reputation as a first-class destination for a mix of beach vacations and cultural enjoyment.
Incidentally, Qatar attaches great importance to the fact that it is not lumped together with the United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi, Dubai) or with its neighbor Saudi Arabia.
