Qatar Welcomes Record 1.5 Million Global Visitors in Q1 2025

Qatar is kicking off 2025 in full tourist mode, clocking 1.5 million international visitors between January and March—a sign that its year-round events and seamless travel strategy are seriously paying off.

The Eid Al Fitr holiday alone brought in 214,000 visitors, the biggest seasonal surge in three years. That’s a 26% jump from last year’s numbers. Unsurprisingly, GCC travellers led the way, accounting for 49% of arrivals during Eid, while hotel occupancy hit 77%, up a solid 10% from 2024.

But it’s not just one holiday doing all the work. Qatar’s tourism board has been grinding with a full-on, all-seasons strategy. We're talking mega-events like the Doha Jewellery & Watches Exhibition, Web Summit Qatar, the Qatar International Food Festival, and even the nostalgic Throwback Food Festival—all of which boosted visitor engagement, drove up room nights (2.6 million sold!), and saw tourism dollars pouring in.

“The achievements of the first quarter of 2025 demonstrate some of the planned outputs of our long-term approach to tourism development,” said HE Saad Bin Ali Al Kharji, Chairman of Qatar Tourism.

Cruise Control: Tourism by Sea Also Sets Sail

Qatar’s cruise game is also strong this season. Between maiden voyages and homeporting calls, 87 cruise ship visits brought in over 360,000 sea-loving tourists—a 4% increase year-over-year. More than 10% were turnaround passengers, signaling Qatar's rising rep as a cruise hub.

Events, Culture & Commerce: The Ultimate Tourism Trifecta

From the Qatar Food Festival’s 365,000+ attendees to Shop Qatar’s QAR 120M in sales, it’s clear the country isn’t just aiming to impress—it’s delivering. Over at Ras Abrouq Desert Activation, 55,000 visitors turned the dunes into a buzzing desert destination, while Sealine Village pulled in nearly 48,000 more.

The Doha Jewellery & Watches Exhibition 2025 dazzled with 500+ brands and QAR 246M in sales, up nearly 10% from last year. Meanwhile, “Taste of Qatar,” a new collab with the Ministry of Public Health and Ipsos, is redefining the local dining scene for both residents and tourists.

Marketing That Hits Different

You’ve probably seen Qatar popping up on your social feeds and travel inspo boards—and that’s no accident. Through campaigns across Spain, India, Germany, and custom GCC efforts like “Welcome Our Dear Neighbours” and “Entertainment on Us”, Qatar Tourism is making sure no travel dream goes unserved.

Looking Ahead: The Momentum Isn’t Slowing Down

If Q1 was the warm-up, the rest of 2025 is going to be a full-blown sprint. Expect crowd-pulling events like the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025™, the T100 Triathlon World Championship Final, and more electric vibes from the E1 Grand Prix of Electric Boats. It’s all part of a bigger plan to shape Qatar into a sustainable, dynamic, year-round travel hotspot.