Recent reports suggest that Qatar is on track to pass the three million-visitor mark by end of the year, with support of upcoming festivals from now until end of 2015, said the chairman of Qatar Tourism Authority, HE Issa bin Mohammed Al Mohannadi.
“The summer signals growth for the tourism industry. It also means arrival of the Eid Al-Fitr festival, followed closely by Qatar Summer Festival 2015, and Eid Al-Adha Festival. These activities help to diversify and grow our country’s tourism offering. We have called on our partners to make Qatar stand out this year and help us pass the three million visitors mark for the first time by end of 2015,” he said.
Al Mohannadi was addressing QTA stakeholders, partners and staff at the authority’s second annual tourism industry Ghabga. The event was also attended by several diplomats and high-level representatives of nations.
Tourism currently provides over 61,000 jobs in Qatar and 1 in every 11 jobs globally. Initial estimates of the sector’s impact on the local economy suggest that tourism directly contributed US$3.7 billion to the country’s GDP in 2013, representing four percent of Qatar’s non-hydrocarbon economy. As the country increases its efforts to diversify sources of revenue, Qatar is working towards achieving an average of US$10.7 billion in tourism spending by 2030.
Half way through 2015, the year has been promising for Qatar’s tourism sector, with the country on track for a 10% year-on-year increase in number of visitors, from the region and world. Visitor numbers from neighbouring GCC markets have increased, with strongest performance from Saudi Arabia.
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