BIG PLANS - SAAD BIN ALI AL KHARJI

Saad bin Ali AI Kharji, Chairman of Qatar Tourism, aims to leverage the success of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 to carve out a space for Qatar in a highly competitive regional tourism landscape, with the goal of boosting the tourism sector's contribution to GDP from 7% to 12% in 2030.

- HAGAR OMRAN

Qatar is undertaking multiple endeavors to establish itself as a prominent tourism player in the Middle East after the FIFA World Cup 2022 grabbed global attention for the Gulf country, but turning these ambitious plans into reality will not be easy. Qatar faces fierce competition from well-established tourist hubs in the region, such as the U.A.E., Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. The small peninsula had 191 hotels open in 2023, according to Qatar Tourism. The U.A.E. had nearly 1,200 hotels in 2022, according to official data.

But with its hosting of the FIFA World Cup 2022 still top of mind, Qatar is determined to build on its success. “We’re working on the whole image of Qatar to get the well-deserved lead in the tourism sector, and hosting big events is only part of these promotional efforts,” says Saad bin Ali Al Kharji, Chairman of Qatar Tourism, adding that the economic diversification approach is the main driver behind the bold touristic initiatives.