GCC Countries Lead Tourist Surge in Qatar for June

The energy-rich nation of Qatar has reported a significant surge in visitor arrivals in June 2023, particularly from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, according to recent data from the Planning and Statistics Authority (PSA).

Tourists from the GCC made up a substantial 42% of the total arrivals, reinforcing the tight-knit relationships among these neighboring countries. The figures show a robust uptick, with the country playing host to 118,597 visitors from the GCC in June 2023. This is a 13.6% increase from May 2023 and a striking 99% growth compared to June 2022.

As the Qatari tourism sector continues to rebound, other regions are also contributing to the surge. Arrivals from other Arab nations accounted for 9% of the total, seeing a robust annual increase of 159.1%. Europe and the Americas also contributed, representing 13% and 6% of the total arrivals respectively.

A large part of the increased visitor volume could be attributed to the Eid Al Adha holidays, a period where Qatar’s unique blend of traditional and modern attractions becomes a crowd magnet.

Aircraft travel was the preferred mode of entry for most visitors, with 168,463 flying into Qatar in June 2023, an impressive 91.3% increase from June 2022. Sea and land arrivals supplemented these numbers.

The Asian continent, excluding the GCC, contributed 28% of the total arrivals. The number of Asian visitors in June 2023 reached 78,045, up a staggering 131% compared to the same period last year. Visitors from other African countries added 5,642 to the total.

Hamad International Airport, Qatar’s primary international gateway, has become busier than ever. The airport witnessed a 33.5% increase in passenger traffic and an 18.1% rise in aircraft movements in the first half of 2023 compared to the same period last year. Overall, the airport served over 20 million passengers during the first half of 2023.

The uptick in tourism aligns with Qatar Tourism’s recent announcement that the nation welcomed over two million international visitors in the first half of 2023. This is double the number seen pre-pandemic in 2019, reflecting the strong recovery of Qatar’s tourism sector.

The robust performance can be attributed to Qatar’s wide range of attractions, a bustling calendar of events, and its renowned Arabian hospitality. These factors, combined with the easing of travel restrictions, signal an encouraging future for Qatar’s tourism industry.