Qatar has been selected to host the 51st UN Tourism Regional Commission conference, highlighting its growing prominence as a global cultural and economic center. The announcement was made during the ongoing 50th session of the commission in Muscat, Oman, where a senior delegation from Qatar Tourism, led by His Excellency Mr. Saad bin Ali Al Kharji, Chairman of Qatar Tourism, is participating. The conference will take place after the conclusion of the current session on May 24th and will focus on the importance of the tourism sector in fostering sustainable economic growth and enhancing international cooperation.
During the meetings in Muscat, HE Mr. Saad bin Ali Al Kharji met with HE Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), to discuss potential collaborations. These collaborations include launching the second edition of the Qatar Tourism Awards in partnership with the UNWTO, which aims to recognize exceptional contributions to the Qatari tourism experience. They also explored opportunities for fostering innovative ideas, particularly in digital technology and artificial intelligence.
Qatar Tourism expressed its eagerness to share the success of its Hayya platform with other member nations, aiming to expand its application across the region. The discussions also covered strategic topics and initiatives aimed at bolstering tourism cooperation at both Arab and regional levels, leveraging shared experiences and past successes.
The meetings emphasized the significance of closer ties among Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, particularly through the introduction of a unified tourist visa expected by the end of the year. This move is seen as a vital step toward promoting sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
Key talks also revolved around tourism investment and financing strategies, with a focus on Qatar’s robust investment climate, which is attractive to both domestic and international investors due to its economic resilience and steady growth. Qatar has recently seen the creation of over 800 new businesses and the launch of 135 foreign direct investment initiatives worth approximately $29.78 billion.
These discussions underscored Qatar Tourism’s commitment to excellence in service throughout the tourism value chain, supported by collaborations with both public and private sectors. This commitment contributes to Qatar’s reputation as one of the safest countries globally.
On the agenda for May 24th, the Qatar Tourism delegation will participate in a panel discussion titled ‘Stimulating tourism investment through cross-sector partnerships.’ The session will focus on the successful collaboration between Qatar Tourism and the Ministry of Interior in launching the ‘Hayya’ visa facilitation platform. The discussion will also cover strategic partnerships aimed at attracting investments and enhancing Qatar’s tourism offerings. The session will conclude with strategies to sustain tourism growth, particularly in the wake of major events like the FIFA World Cup 2022TM and the AFC Asian Cup 2023TM.
In addition to Qatar’s hosting of the 51st UN Tourism Regional Commission conference, the UNWTO has highlighted significant expansion in the Middle East’s tourism sector. International visitor numbers in the first three months of 2024 reached 36% higher than pre-pandemic levels, a 4% rise from the first quarter of the previous year. This strong performance continues from an exceptional 2023, in which the Middle East led globally by exceeding its pre-pandemic tourism numbers by 22%. Further data from the early part of 2024 reveals that other global destinations are also experiencing remarkable growth. Specifically, Qatar witnessed a 177% increase in tourist arrivals compared to the first quarter of 2019, while Saudi Arabia enjoyed a 98% surge.
